Light-Based Commercial Messaging Systems

ABSTRACT

Provided is a messaging system that includes: messaging units disposed in different locations within a commercial space, each including a light-emitting diode (LED); a messaging/modulation controller coupled to the LED and configured to turn the LED on and off so as to broadcast a digital message as a binary-encoded digital signal corresponding to on/off states of the LED; and a user interface, coupled to the messaging/modulation controller, that permits a user to create schedules that specify how and when specified messages are to be broadcast by such messaging units. Different ones of the messaging units are configured to broadcast different digital messages, including substantive content that is different from what is broadcast by other ones of the messaging units, in accordance with the schedules input through the user interface.

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/048,477, filed on Jul. 30, 2018, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/996,718, filed on Jan. 15, 2016 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,068,396), which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/954,319, filed on Jul. 30, 2013 (now U.S. Pat.No. 9,270,627), which is a continuation in part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/787,737, filed on Mar. 6, 2013 (now abandoned),which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/559,372, filed on Jul. 26, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,924,255). Inaddition, the present application is a continuation in part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/507,192, filed Jul. 10, 2019, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/263,180, filed Sep.12, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/253,363, filed on Nov. 10, 2015. Each of theforegoing applications is incorporated by reference herein as though setforth herein in full.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to light-based systems for sending and/orreceiving messages, particularly individualized messages based on thelocations and/or characteristics of the recipients and/or otherindividuals.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different messaging systems currently exist. Examplesinclude SMS or text messaging, e-mail, Twitter, Facebook and othersocial-network messaging protocols. However, each of such systems hasits own shortcomings. The present inventor has discovered that onesignificant problem with existing messaging systems is that they fail toadequately take into account the locations of the individuals who arecommunicating. Efforts to address this problem typically focus on theuse of a global positioning system (GPS) or, in some cases, an indoorvariation of such a system. Unfortunately, the present inventorsdiscovered that such solutions often do not work well. Another problemwith existing messaging systems that has been discovered by the presentinventor is that they often are inadequate at personalizing orindividualizing messages.

Also, systems have been used or proposed for tracking and/or monitoringthe locations of people or objects. Most of such systems use GPS orrelated techniques. However, such systems have a number of drawbacks,e.g., in terms of cost and/or the amount of effort required to implementthem.

Still further, systems have been used or proposed for providing securedaccess to various kinds of resources, such as data or physicallocations. Such systems typically rely on the use of passwords, physicalkeys or biometric information. However, these systems also havedrawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing problems, e.g., byproviding systems, apparatuses, methods and techniques that employlight-based messaging. Such approaches often can provide: fairly preciselocation-based and/or characteristic-based message targeting, e.g., forlarge numbers of people in locations that would not be appropriate forGPS-based systems; spatial tracking of people, machines and otherobjects; and/or enhanced security systems.

Thus, one embodiment of the invention is directed to a messaging systemthat includes: messaging units disposed at different locations within aspace, each including at least one light source (e.g., light-emittingdiode or LED); at least one messaging/modulation controller coupled tothe light sources and configured to turn the light sources on and off soas to broadcast input digital messages; a central server coupled to themessaging/modulation controller(s) and configured to selectively providemessages to the messaging/modulation controller(s) for broadcast bydifferent ones of the messaging units; and an associate device coupledto the central server and configured to: (a) display a user interfacefor manually inputting information about individuals within the spaceand (b) provide such information to the central server. Preferably, thecentral server selects messages to be broadcast by individual ones ofthe messaging units based on the information received from the associatedevice.

Another embodiment is directed to a messaging system that includesmultiple messaging units at different locations within a commercialspace, with each of such messaging units including: a light-emittingdiode (LED) or other light source; and a messaging/modulation controllercoupled to the light source and configured to turn the light source onand off so as to broadcast a digital message, with each of the messagingunits configured to broadcast a different digital message, includingsubstantive content that is different from what is broadcast by theother messaging units.

A still further embodiment is directed to a location monitoring systemthat includes: (a) a plurality of messaging units disposed at differentlocations within a space, each of such messaging units including: (i) alight source, and (ii) a messaging/modulation controller coupled to thelight source and configured to turn the light source on and off so as tobroadcast a digital message; and (b) a receiving unit that includes: (i)a light sensor, and (ii) a processor coupled to the light sensor. Themessaging units are configured to broadcast different location codes viatheir corresponding light sources, and the processor is configured to(1) receive the location codes through the light sensor, (2) inresponse, to obtain location information based on the location codes,and (3) at least one of store and use, or cause the transmission of, thelocation information.

A still further embodiment is directed to a security system thatincludes: (a) a messaging unit that includes: (i) a light source, and(ii) a messaging/modulation controller coupled to the light source andconfigured to turn the light source on and off so as to broadcast adigital message; and (b) a receiving unit that includes: (i) a lightsensor, and (ii) a processor coupled to the light sensor; and (c) anaccess-control unit that includes: (i) a user interface, and (ii) aprocessor coupled to the user interface. The receiving unit isconfigured to receive the digital message broadcast by themessaging/modulation controller and, in response, to at least one ofdisplay or transmit information based on such broadcast digital message.The user interface of the access-control unit is configured to input acode based on the displayed or transmitted information, and theprocessor of the access-control unit is configured to verify whether theinput code corresponds to a reference code that is based on the digitalmessage broadcast by the messaging/modulation controller and, only ifso, to provide access to a secure resource.

Another embodiment is directed to a messaging system that includes: (a)messaging units disposed in different locations within a commercialspace, each including a light-emitting diode (LED); (b) amessaging/modulation controller coupled to the LED and configured toturn the LED on and off so as to broadcast a digital message as abinary-encoded digital signal corresponding to on/off states of the LED;and (c) a user interface, coupled to the messaging/modulationcontroller, that permits a user to create schedules that specify how andwhen specified messages are to be broadcast by such messaging units.Different ones of the messaging units are configured to broadcastdifferent digital messages, including substantive content that isdifferent from what is broadcast by other ones of the messaging units,in accordance with the schedules input through the user interface.

The foregoing summary is intended merely to provide a brief descriptionof certain aspects of the invention. A more complete understanding ofthe invention can be obtained by referring to the claims and thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inconnection with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following disclosure, the invention is described with referenceto the attached drawings. However, it should be understood that thedrawings merely depict certain representative and/or exemplaryembodiments and features of the present invention and are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The following is abrief description of each of the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1A&B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of asmall, portable, mobile device.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an alternate small, portable,mobile device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a messaging system according to arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary timeline showing time-divisionmultiplexing of multiple different messages.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process, executed by a centralcomputer, for enabling an administrator to create and distribute amessaging pattern.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a process, executed by thecontroller of a messaging unit, for causing messages to be broadcast.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a process, executed by a userdevice, for receiving and presenting messages.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an alternate messaging system according toa representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a commercial space showing an example ofceiling-based placement of messaging units according to a representativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a commercial space showing an example ofshelf-based placement of messaging units according to an alternaterepresentative embodiment of the present invention, and alsoillustrating how a user can be guided to different locations within thecommercial space.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a representative receiving unit.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating processing performed by areceiving unit according to a representative embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a directional sensors for use in certain embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a card with four directional sensors.

FIG. 15 illustrates overlapping reception patterns forward todirectional sensors on a single card.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating processing performed by alocation-monitoring and/or tracking device according to a representativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a security system according to arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating processing performed within asecurity system according to a representative embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a system for delivering messagesbased on user characteristics according to a representative embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an exemplary page of a user interface showing the layout of aportion of a covered space and the locations of registered, activeusers.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary page of a user interface for inputting anddisplaying information regarding a user or other individual.

FIG. 22 is an exemplary page of a user interface showing the layout of aportion of a covered space and the locations of registered, active usersand other individuals.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a communication system according to arepresentative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a customer's device, as configured bya customer app according to a representative embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a retailer's device, as configured bya store app according to a representative embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Any of a variety of different conventional, portable, typically handhelduser devices can be used within, or included within, a system accordingto the preferred embodiments of the present invention. One example ofsuch a user device 10 (which could be a mobile cellular-based phone or atablet computer) is shown in FIGS. 1A&B. As shown, user device 10includes, on its back side 11, a light sensor 12 (typically a camera)and one or more light sources 14 (such as light-emitting diodes or LEDs,e.g., of the type conventionally placed in close proximity to the camera12 and used as a camera flash, among other things). To achieve greaterreception efficiency in certain environments, a user device 20 (e.g., amobile phone or tablet computer), shown in FIG. 2, also (or instead)includes a light sensor 22 (such as a camera or a simple light-detectingsensor) and/or a light source 24 (preferably one or more LEDs) on itstop edge 25. Similarly, a light sensor and/or a light source also (orinstead) can be included on the front side 16 or 26 of a user device(e.g., user device 10 or 20, respectively).

For ease of description, the following discussion typically refers touser device 10 or user device 20; however, it should be understood thatsuch references can be replaced with references to any other portable(typically handheld) user device, such as any of the devicescontemplated herein. In fact, any appropriately configured user devicecan be used in any embodiment of the present invention. The preferreduser device includes at least: (1) a processor and storage medium forexecuting and storing a software application (or set ofcomputer-executable process steps) to provide the functionality ascribedto user device 10 or 20 herein (typically referred to herein as the“user app”); (2) a light sensor for receiving the broadcast, modulatedlight discussed herein; and (3) and one or more hardware user interfacecomponents (typically, a display screen and/or a speaker or output audiojack) for presenting the received messages that are discussed herein. Itis noted that the expression “presenting messages” and similarexpressions are used herein to refer to visually showing, displaying,playing or otherwise providing such messages, which could involvepresenting any kind of content or any combination of different kinds ofcontent (e.g., any combination of text, graphics, images, audio and/orvideo content). In addition, in certain embodiments it is preferable forthe user device to have other hardware and/or software capabilities,such as the ability to wirelessly access the Internet and/or a lightsource for also (or even instead) transmitting messages within a systemaccording to the present invention.

Location-Based Messaging within a Designated Space.

One such system 50, shown in FIG. 3, includes a user device 20(preferably running the user app) and a plurality of messaging units 52(such as messaging units 52A-C) disposed at different locationsthroughout an overall space. In the preferred embodiments, this space isa commercial space, such as a single retail store (or otherestablishment) or a shopping center or mall containing a plurality ofindependently managed and/or operated retail establishments. However, asystem according to the present invention can be implemented in any kindof (typically large) space. Although only three messaging units 52A-Care shown in FIG. 3, more typically there will be many more suchmessaging units 52, e.g., at least 5-50 such units.

Each of the messaging units 52 preferably includes one or more lightsources 55 (typically, each such light source including one or moreLEDs) and a processor-based messaging/modulation controller 56. However,the messaging/modulation controller 56 need not be included within amessaging unit 52; instead, one or more messaging/modulation controllers56 may be coupled to one or more messaging units 52 (so that eachcontroller 56 controls one or more messaging units 52). Nevertheless,for ease of description, the following discussion assumes that eachmessaging unit 52 includes its own controller 56.

In the current embodiments, each messaging unit 52 broadcasts a digitalmessage, including substantive content that is different than thesubstantive content of the digital messages broadcast by all (or amajority or at least some) of the other messaging units 52. However,such messages preferably are coordinated with each other in order toprovide a desired overall user experience. To broadcast such message(s),each controller 56 modulates (typically by turning on and off) the light57 emitted from the unit's light source 55. Then, as any particular userdevice 20 is moved about within the space covered by the messaging units52, it receives the light 57, and therefore the corresponding digitalmessage, from different ones of the messaging units 52. For example, asdepicted in FIG. 3, user device 20 currently is receiving and presentingto user 60 any message(s) broadcast by messaging unit 52A; then, as userdevice 20 is moved forward by user 60, it ceases to receive (or at leastto present to user 60) messages broadcast from messaging unit 52A andbegins to receive and present to user 60 messages broadcast frommessaging unit 52B. In this way, the system 50 provides a structure forcommunicating different messages at different locations within theoverall space and, typically, for fairly precisely controlling whatmessages are presented at different locations and/or (e.g., in theembodiment described below in reference to FIG. 10) even at differentorientations of the user 60.

Each light source 55 preferably is modulated on and off at a very highrate (e.g., at least 1,000, 10,000, 100,000, 1 million, 10 million or100 million times per second) so that, although a binary signal is beingbroadcast via such modulation, the variation is too fast to be noticedby the human eye. The sensor 22 of user device 20 receives thismodulated light, decodes it and presents the corresponding message, inaccordance with the logical rules encoded in the user app and, in someembodiments, with the user app referencing data that it previouslystored into the memory of user device 20.

The user app often will have been initially downloaded by the userdevice 20 via a wireless Internet connection or else will have beendownloaded by a different computer (via its Internet connection) andthen transferred to user device 20. Upon such initial downloading, theuser 60 preferably has the ability to establish a profile (and in somecases is incentivized or required to do so), and preferably may elect tohave special offers and/or suggestions delivered to him or her viain-store communications and/or may elect to have such notifications sentto him or her, irrespective of his or her location, by e-mail, via asocial-networking site or in any other manner. Thereafter, updates tothe user app and/or additional (e.g., pre-stored) content can bereceived in either of those ways, or instead can be downloaded from oneof the messaging units 52 (e.g., the first messaging unit 52 that device20 receives from after entering the space. Still further, if the userdevice 20 previously had an application for interfacing with Li-Fisystem 50, the user app initially could have been downloaded from one ofthe messaging units 52.

As indicated above, in addition to transferring messages and deliveryschedules into the controller 56, in certain embodiments of the presentinvention pre-stored content also can be placed in the controller 56.Typically, such pre-stored content is content that is intended to beused by multiple different messages and can include, e.g., logos,backgrounds, music and/or other audio clips.

The digital messages and other content broadcast by the messaging units52 can be encoded using any of the techniques used for other kinds ofdigital transmissions. In addition, multiple messages (and/or otherkinds of content) can be delivered simultaneously by using time-divisionmultiplexing (i.e., broadcasting each message in a stream of time slicesthat alternate with the times slices allocated to the other messages),or by using any other multiplexing technique. As a result, for example,in these embodiments it is possible to simultaneously broadcast both anew message and any update to the user app or the pre-stored contentaccessible by it.

In the preferred embodiments, the messages broadcast by the messagingunits 52 are modified or replaced from time to time, e.g., from momentto moment, at different times of day, and/or over extended periods oftime. In this regard, the controller 56 preferably includes memoryand/or one or more other storage devices that store one or more suchmessages and computer-executable process steps for implementing thecontroller functionality described herein (typically referred to as the“messaging app”). The controller 56 also includes a processor forexecuting the messaging app. Still further, in certain embodiments thecontroller 56 includes a real-time clock and/or scheduling informationalso is stored into its storage device(s); then, the messaging app cancause different messages to be broadcast, e.g.: at different times ofthe day, on different days of the week, in one or more specifiedsequences, at one or more different time intervals and/or in any othertime-varying manner. In this way, once the controller 56 is loaded witha set of messages and a schedule, it can automatically change themessages that it causes to be broadcast over time in accordance with anyspecified schedule.

Typically, however, it also will be desirable, from time to time, tochange the stored messages and/or the schedule according to which theyare broadcast. Any of a variety of different approaches can be employedto change or update such information. For example, in certainembodiments, controller 56 is provided with a physical port (e.g., USB),and when a physical storage medium (e.g., flash drive 62 shown in FIG.3) is inserted into such a port, the messaging app automaticallyretrieves the new or replacement messages and scheduling informationstored within it and uses it to update and/or replace the correspondinginformation currently stored within the storage device(s) of controller56.

More preferably, however, such updates are delivered automatically tothe individual messaging units 52. Some of the reasons for thispreference are that there often will be a large number of messagingunits 52 and access to them often will be fairly cumbersome, e.g., whenthey are mounted on or within the ceiling. Therefore, the messagingunits 52 preferably are in (or capable of) real-time communications withone or more central computers (e.g., computer 65), and both theindividual messaging units 52 and such a central computer 65 areconfigured to interface with each other, e.g., such that computer 65 candirectly address and update each desired messaging unit 52.

Even more preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the communication link betweenthe central computer 65 and the individual messaging units 52 is awireless link (e.g., a WiFi network according to any of the 802.11xprotocols). For this purpose, computer 65 is shown connected to awireless router 67, and the controller 56 within each of the messagingunits 52 includes a corresponding wireless transceiver and antenna 54.In addition, for covering a large space, one or more wireless signalrepeaters may also be incorporated into system 50. In any event,although a hardwired network instead could be used, wireless technologyeliminates the effort and expense of having to physically connect all ofthe messaging units 52 to such a network. On the other hand, use of ahardwired network often will be a good option when infrastructurealready exists, e.g., using the same lines from which central computer65 and the messaging units 52 obtain their electrical power to alsotransmit communication signals.

The messaging app (e.g., including any wireless communicationinterfaces) preferably is stored within each controller 56 as firmware.The scheduling and message information preferably is stored within anon-volatile storage device, such as flash memory, within thecorresponding controller 56. Preferably, however, most of thefunctionality is implemented by computer 65, with the individualmessaging units 52 including just enough processing power andcorresponding functionality to perform message and schedule updates, toimplement the stored schedule(s), and to generate corresponding drivesignals for their light sources 55 based on the stored digital messages.

In the simplest embodiments of the present invention, the messaging appexecuted by the controller 56 simply causes its currently loaded messageto be repeatedly broadcast, over and over, but that single message iscapable of being replaced by a new message, e.g., using any of thetechniques described above. However, in certain embodiments, themessaging app continuously broadcasts in accordance with one or moremessaging schedules (as discussed in more detail below). In thefollowing discussions, this latter type of embodiment usually isassumed, in order to be as comprehensive as possible.

Also, upon receipt of a signal from the wireless interface (or otherinterface used for updates) indicating that new updates are available,controller 56 performs the updating operation. In this regard, theupdating message preferably includes a set of instructions (or a script)indicating what changes should be made, together with any new orreplacement messages or other content. For instance, such a script mightinclude simple statements to delete particular messages, content and/orschedules (each specified with a unique identifier) and/or to add thenew blocks of information appended to the received message, with eachsuch new block including a unique identifier, a type identifier (e.g.,message, media content or schedule) and a main body that includes theactual content. Similarly, each schedule also can be specified as ascript with instructions indicating, e.g.: any condition(s) as to whenit should be executed (such as time of day and/or day of week), thesequence in which messages are to be broadcast (if more than one), anymessages to be broadcast concurrently (e.g., multiplexed), any desiredpauses between sequentially broadcast messages, any specific times atwhich messages are to be broadcast, and the like.

Also, in certain embodiments the messaging units 50 include real-timeclocks. In that case, the messaging app preferably also includesfunctionality for receiving a timestamp and a synchronization signal andfor setting the device's real-time clock to the specified time at themoment indicated by the synchronization signal.

In certain embodiments of the invention (discussed in greater detailbelow), additional components also are included within system 50. Suchcomponents can include, e.g., one or more associate devices 72, eachtypically being a wireless handheld device, such as a tablet computer ora wireless telephone, but any or all instead could be, e.g., laptop ordesktop computers. Each such associate device 72 is operated by anindividual 73 who is associated with the system 50 and is coupled to thecentral computer 65, e.g., via one of the presently disclosed LiFisystems, such as system 50, a wireless Wi-Fi connection, an ethernetconnection, or any other wireless or hardwired connection. In addition(or instead) system 50 can include one or more automated sensors 75(such as a video or still-image camera, operating in the visible and/orinfrared spectra, a radio receiver configured to receive transmissionsfrom user devices 20, or a radio transceiver for use in combination withRFID devices) for obtaining information regarding the users 60. Suchsensors 75 can be located anywhere in the covered space, such as onitems that are being offered for sale, on shelves or other fixtures, oron ceilings, walls or other portions of a structure that makes up,encloses or borders the covered space.

A representative example of time-division multiplexing is shown in FIG.4. In this particular example, portions of three different messages81-83 are broadcast using alternating time slices over a relativelyshort period of broadcast time (e.g., between 10⁻² and 10⁻⁷ second, oreven less), followed by a longer time period (e.g., 5-10 times as long)during which the light source 55 remains continuously on, with thispattern repeating potentially indefinitely. Preferably, an entire staticmessage is delivered within a time period of 0.5-3.0 seconds, andtime-varying content (such as audio or video) is delivered in real-time.At the same time, because only a relatively small fraction of the time(e.g., a maximum of 10-20%) is used for modulated broadcasting, theintensity of the light need not be significantly reduced.

Computer 65 preferably is configured with a software application thatexecutes a process for allowing an administrator 70 to create anddistribute a desired messaging pattern. An example of one such process100 is discussed with reference to FIG. 5.

Initially, in step 102 a user interface for inputting or creating one ormore messages is displayed. If a desired message just includes text, theadministrator 70 preferably can simply type in (or otherwise enter) themessage. In addition, the displayed interface preferably permits theadministrator 70 to specify, e.g.: (1) the display of pre-storeddiscrete graphical elements and/or a background or wallpaper; or (2) theplaying of a pre-stored audio track. Still further, the displayedinterface preferably permits the administrator 70 to upload new content(such as images, audio, video, or any combination of such content) andthen incorporate such new content into any particular message. In thisregard, a variety of conventional software applications exist forauthoring content in one or more types of media, and any of the featuresincorporated into such conventional applications also can beincorporated into the user interface displayed in this step. Preferably,the displayed user interface permits the creation of any number ofmessages in this manner.

In step 103, a user interface is displayed for creating schedules thatspecify how and when the message(s) created in step 102 are to bebroadcast, e.g., the sequences in which such messages are to bebroadcast (if more than one are to be broadcast by a particularmessaging unit 52 during any given time period) and/or the times and/ordays when they are to be broadcast. In most embodiments, each of themessaging units 52 broadcasts just a single message at any given time.However, the present interface preferably permits the administrator 70to specify that different messages are to be broadcast at differenttimes of day and/or on different days (e.g., different days of theweek).

For this purpose, the present user interface preferably allows theadministrator 70 to specify a time segment for each message that hasbeen assigned to a messaging unit or, conversely, to specify differenttime segments and one or more messages to be broadcast during each. Ifmultiple messages are specified for any particular time segment, thedefault preferably is that the messages are broadcast sequentiallywithout any significant delay between them, in the order selected by theadministrator 70 within the present user interface (e.g., in the orderthe administrator 70 lists them for that time segment). However, incertain embodiments the present interface provides the administrator 70with a great deal of flexibility in specifying how and when messages areto be broadcast by individual messaging units 52. In certainembodiments, the present interface even permits the administrator 70 tospecify that two or more different messages are to be playedsimultaneously on the user device (e.g., device 10 or 20). Morepreferably, however, any such concurrent combinations preferably arespecified during the message-authoring process in step 102.

In one example, the foregoing schedule information is input by theadministrator 70 in textual format, e.g., using a scripting languagesuch as:

Schedule255(M,Tu,W: 11 AM-1.30 PM; Th,F: 11.30 AM-2 PM)

Play(Nsg435);

Play_Concurrent(Msg 112, Msg390, dur 10 sec);

Wait(5 sec);

Play(Msg029);

Return

which would be interpreted to mean that when this schedule (with theunique identifier “Schedule255”) has been assigned to a messaging unit52, it is to be executed on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 AMuntil 1:30 PM and on Thursday and Friday from 11:30 AM until 2:00 PM(sometimes referred to herein as the “applicability” of the schedule),and during those times the following actions should be executed: playMessage 435, then immediately play Messages 112 and 390 together (i.e.,simultaneously) for a period of 10 seconds (e.g., one being the visualportion and the other being the audio portion), then wait 5 seconds,then play Message 029, then immediately return to the beginning (i.e.,begin again playing Message 435). In this example, it assumed thatMessages 435 and 029 have an inherent duration (e.g., a video or audioclip) or a duration that has been explicitly specified within themessages themselves (e.g., as metadata), while Messages 112 and 390potentially could be played indefinitely (e.g., text, static imagesand/or looping audio). In alternate embodiments, the present userinterface allows the administrator 70 to define schedules (or tootherwise specify the schedule information) using a graphical userinterface, e.g., with real-time presentation of the messages that arebeing specified to be presented, a “start” button and/or a “stop”button.

In the preferred embodiments, it is possible to specify theapplicability of a particular schedule to be the “default”, eitherinstead of or in addition to specific times, dates and/or days. Adefault schedule is one that is to be implemented if and when no otherschedule currently stored within the messaging unit 52 is applicable.More preferably, at least one schedule stored by each messaging unit 52is required to be the default schedule, and this requirement preferablyis verified in step 105 (discussed below).

It should be noted that the times at which the digital messages arebroadcast can be somewhat independent of when those messages are to bedisplayed (or otherwise played or presented), e.g., by configuring theuser device (e.g., 10 or 20) to have buffering capabilities. It is alsonoted that it is possible to combine this step with step 102, e.g.,providing a single user interface for both authoring messages andspecifying broadcasting schedules.

In step 104, a user interface is displayed for assigning any of theschedules created in step 103 to any of the messaging units 52. For thispurpose, each of such messaging units 52 and each of the schedulespreferably has a unique identifier. In one example, a separate window,containing a complete list of the available schedules, is opened for aselected messaging unit 52, and then the administrator 70 simply selectsthe schedule(s) to be assigned to that messaging unit 52, e.g., byclicking on checkboxes next to the desired schedule(s). It also shouldbe noted that this step 104 can be combined with step 102 and/or step103, e.g., so that a message is assigned to one or more messaging units52 at the time it is created, and/or so that messages, schedules andmessage or schedule assignments are all defined in a single step, and/orso that the instructions for transferring, deleting and/or replacingmessages and/or content are generated automatically based on theschedules that have been selected for the corresponding messaging unit52.

In step 105, a user interface is displayed for performing any desiredverification (automatic and/or manual) of the overall messaging patternthat has been specified in steps 102-104. For example, in certainembodiments a map showing the layout of the space covered by themessaging units 52 (e.g., similar to the maps shown in FIGS. 9 and 10,discussed below) is displayed, and then the administrator 70 is able toinput any desired day and time and then hover over (or click on) any ofthe graphic symbols representing the locations of the messaging units52, causing the corresponding digital message(s) to be presented.

In certain embodiments, this simulation also takes into accountfunctionality that is expected (or known) to be implemented by the userapp (running on the user device 10 or 20). For instance, as discussed ingreater detail below, in certain embodiments the user app on the userdevice 10 receives multiple messages from a single messaging unit (asdiscussed in greater detail below) but only presents one, depending uponthe recent location history of the user device 10 (e.g., the sequence ofmessaging units 52 from which it has received broadcasts). As result,the administrator 70 would be able to click on different sequences ofmessaging units 52 and observe the corresponding sequences of messagesthat would be played by the user device 10 of an individual who traveledthat same path through the space.

This verification procedure can be important for identifying anyproblems or schedule inconsistencies. In this latter regard, it mighthave been the case that two different schedules inadvertently were madeactive for the same messaging unit 52 and for the same period of time.Preferably, any such overlapping schedules are automatically highlightedin this verification step. Although certain embodiments permitintentionally overlapping schedules (e.g., with the different messagesbeing multiplexed together), more preferably only a single schedule canbe made active at any given time for any given messaging unit 52. In anyevent, based on these verifications, the administrator 70 preferably caneither modify the messaging pattern (by revisiting any of steps 102-104)or confirm the existing messaging pattern.

In step 106, the messaging pattern information is transmitted(preferably automatically once the pattern has been confirmed) to theappropriate ones of the messaging units 52. Typically, this stepinvolves transmitting: (1) the new schedules that are to be implementedby the corresponding messaging unit 52 (e.g., with a “store_schedule”command); (2) instructions to delete (or in some cases, just inactivate)any existing schedules that are not currently desired to be executed(e.g., with a “delete_schedule” or “inactivate_schedule” command); (3)any new content that is needed in connection with the new schedules,such as any new messages and/or any new pre-stored content or other newcontent that is referenced by, but not explicitly part of, any such newmessages (with a “store_content” command); and/or (4) instructions todelete any messages or other content that are no longer needed (with a“delete_content” command).

In certain embodiments, for each of the messaging units 52, only the newor changed information is transmitted, in order to reduce the amount ofdata transmission required. In any event, the new information preferablyreplaces any corresponding existing information. The actual informationtransmitted can also include any combination of (1) raw data that hasnot been pre-stored by the recipient messaging unit or assumed to havebeen stored by the user device 10 through its system-interface softwareapplication or (2) identification codes for messaging informationpreviously stored by either such device. In certain embodiments, fromtime to time or upon receipt of an indication that a particularmessaging unit 52 is not currently storing the information that it issupposed to, a reset operation is performed in which all the informationcurrently stored in that messaging unit 52 is deleted and a complete setof the proper information is transmitted to it.

In this way, each of the messaging units 52 can be kept up-to-date on anongoing basis. The processing of such new information by the individualmessaging units 52 preferably is performed on a transaction basis (e.g.,by or under the control of the controller 56), so that the processingassociated with receipt of a new message from computer 65 is performedonly when there is an indication that such a message has been received(e.g., on an interrupt basis). When that occurs, the controller 56 ofthe corresponding messaging unit 52 preferably executes the receivedcommands (e.g., those noted above) in order to store, delete orinactivate any schedules, messages or other content, as applicable. Inaddition, in certain embodiments the controller 56 also creates orupdates and applicability table that indicates when each of the storedschedules is applicable.

Most of the time, the messaging units 52 broadcast the stored digitalmessages in accordance with the currently active stored schedules. Oneexample of a process 130 for doing so, e.g., executed by a processorwithin the controller 56 for the messaging unit 52, is now discussedwith reference to FIG. 6.

Initially, in step 132 the currently applicable schedule is identified.This step can be performed by directly reading the applicabilityinformation from the stored schedules or by reading such informationfrom an applicability table that has been created for the schedules.

In step 133, the first message (or multiple messages if there is to be aconcurrent broadcast) identified in the applicable schedule isretrieved. As noted above, each message preferably has a uniqueidentifier and therefore the current message can be retrieved based onits identifier, as specified in the current schedule.

In step 134, a drive signal for the light source 55 is generated basedon the current message. For this purpose, the content preferably isconverted into a binary signal, e.g., using any of the techniquesconventionally used in conjunction with digital transmissions. Examplesinclude compression, encryption, interleaving and/or errorcorrection/detection. In addition, multiplexing can be used forbroadcasting multiple messages simultaneously. Preferably, the signalthat is generated is a fairly high-frequency (as noted above)binary-encoded digital signal which corresponds to when the light source55 is to be turned on and when it is to be turned off. This signal isthen output to drive the light source 55 (either directly or after beingamplified first). In certain embodiments, the messages are delivered atrelatively high frequencies for relatively short periods of time so thatthe light source 55 is continuously on (i.e., non-modulated) for atleast 50-99% of any given interval of 1.00 to 0.01 second. As result,the intensity of the light source 55 (which preferably also is beingused to provide illumination) is not unduly impaired as a result of themodulation.

Still further, in certain embodiments the light 57 from one of themessaging units (e.g., unit 52A) significantly overlaps with the light57 from one of the other messaging units (e.g., unit 52B). In some ofsuch embodiments, the two messaging units coordinate with each other,e.g., using the same wireless network that is also used forcommunicating with central computer 65 so that each's message isbroadcast in a separate set of time slices (i.e., using time-divisionmultiplexing). Alternatively, each's message can have a different codeapplied to it, within an overall code division multiple access (CDMA)system, so that the receiving user device 10 can selectively receiveeither one or both. Still further, any other multiplexing techniqueinstead may be used, either with or without coordination between theindividual messaging units 52. Instead (or in addition), adjacentmessaging units 52 can be provided with light sources 55 that producedifferent colors, so that they can be distinguished by the user devices10 or 20 on that basis.

In step 135, a determination is made as to whether a new schedule is nowapplicable (e.g., the applicability of the current schedule has expiredand/or the time period for the applicability of another schedule hasjust begun). If so, processing returns to step 132 to retrieve andimplement this newly applicable schedule, typically instead of (but insome cases in addition to) the current schedule. Otherwise, processingreturns to step 133 to retrieve the next message (if any) specified bythe current schedule. If the current schedule specifies just a singlemessage, then that message is simply rebroadcast (e.g., immediately orwith any specified delay).

FIG. 7 illustrates a representative process 160 executed by the user apprunning on the various user devices 10. Process 160 concerns the receiptand presentation of messages from the various messaging units 52. Inaddition, the user app may also perform a variety of other functions,e.g., including communications via WiFi or via a wireless Internetconnection.

Initially, in step 162 one or more messages is/are received andpreliminarily decoded, and then one or more of them is/are selected forfurther processing. The initial receipt of the messages is via lightsensor 12 or 22, which converts the light into an electrical signal. Inthe case of a camera, the signals from the charge-coupled device (CCD)or other individual elements are summed, averaged or otherwise combinedtogether to provide one signal that represents the light intensityreceived by the sensor 12 at any given moment. This signal preferably isdigitized and high-pass filtered (not necessarily in that order) inorder to remove any relatively slow-changing variations. What results isa relatively high-frequency binary signal representing one or moremessages from the nearby messaging unit(s) 52.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed (without loss of generality)that when multiple different messages within system 50 are to bebroadcast simultaneously and are capable of being receivedsimultaneously, such messages are time-multiplexed with each other. Itis noted that simultaneous broadcast can be either from the samemessaging unit 52 or from two or more different messaging units 52 andthat simultaneous receipt when two or more messaging units 52 areinvolved typically is because the light 57 from such messaging units 52shine on the same spot with intensity levels such that one does notcompletely overwhelm the other.

The preliminary decoding in this step preferably involves demultiplexingin order to identify the message(s) that are to be selected. In thisregard, when messages from two or more messaging units 52 are identifiedafter demultiplexing (e.g., based on messaging-unit identifiers includedin the messages' metadata), preferably only the message(s) correspondingto the strongest signal is/are selected. However, to avoid switchingback and forth between different messaging units 52, the user apppreferably also includes logic that keeps track of the messaging unit 52from which messages are currently being received (e.g., based on theunits' unique identifiers) and only switches to a different messagingunits 52 when its signal strength exceeds that of the current unit by atleast a specified amount (e.g., at least 20-40%), or employs other logicthat tends to stay with the current messaging unit 52 until there is aclear indication that the user device 10 has been moved into an areacorresponding to a new unit.

Also, as indicated above, the selection of a message (e.g., from amongplural messages received from the same messaging unit 52) in this stepmay be based on past history of the user device 10 (e.g., the sequenceof messages presented prior to the present message). The object forimplementing this particular aspect of the selection, when employed,preferably is part of an overall game or game-like interaction sequenceimplemented by the user app.

In step 163, the message(s) from the selected messaging unit 52 is/arefurther decoded. This further decoding step preferably is just astraightforward reversal of the encoding mentioned above. What resultsis the original message (assuming from this point forward that there isjust one).

In step 164, any pre-stored content referenced in the message isretrieved from one or more storage media in the controller 56. As notedabove, rather than repeatedly embedding the same content in differentmessages, such content may be pre-stored and then just referenced by itsunique identifier in multiple different messages.

In step 165, the entire message is presented (e.g., shown visuallyand/or played audibly). This step can be implemented, e.g., usingconventional players and/or other user interface processes.

The system 50 depicted in FIG. 3 contemplates a situation in which theadministrator 70 is on site locally. In a system 200 according to analternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the administrator 70 islocated remotely from the site covered by the messaging units 52, andthe computer 65 communicates with a server 205 via the Internet 207 oranother wide-area network 208. Server 205 then relays the messages(preferably wirelessly) to the individual messaging units 52. Also, inthis embodiment, the individual user devices 10 can communicate 209(e.g., via LiFi, Wi-Fi or a wireless Internet connection) directly withthe central computer 65 (e.g., to download the user app and/or othercontent).

Still further, in the present embodiment, in addition to receivingmessages broadcast by the messaging units 52, the present user device 10can transmit messages to such messaging units 52 using its own lightsource 14. In order to receive these messages, the individual messagingunits 52 also include a light sensor 58. In one representativeembodiment, the messaging unit 52 initiates the communication andbroadcasts synchronization signals. Then, the user device 10synchronizes or coordinates with the messaging unit 52 so that only oneis communicating at any given time.

Any of a variety of different kinds of messages preferably can betransmitted in this way, including, e.g., an identifier for the userdevice 10, current status information regarding the user device 10,and/or information currently being received by one or more other sensorsor user interfaces on user device 10. As a result of these bidirectionalcommunications, the system 200 can provide a more fully interactiveexperience to the user 60. Such bidirectional communications also can beeffected, e.g., via a wireless interface (e.g., a WiFi link to server205 or a wireless connection 209 to a cellular-based Internet serviceprovider) on user device 10, either alone or in combination with thelight-based communications described herein.

As with system 50 depicted in FIG. 3, the present system 200 optionallyincludes one or more associate devices 72 and/or one or more sensors 75for obtaining information about the users 60 and/or for any of the otherpurposes discussed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, an associatedevice 72 and a sensor 75 communicate with the central computer 65.However, in alternate embodiments they communicate, either directly orindirectly (e.g., through central computer 65), with server 205.

A sample layout of a space (or site) 230 covered by a plurality ofmessaging units 52 is shown in FIG. 9. In this case, the space 230covered by the messaging units 52 is the interior space of a singleretail store, and the messaging units 52 are installed in the ceiling ofthe aisles between the store's shelves 232 (e.g., replacing conventionallight sources), so that the light shines down. However, even the userdevice 10 (having its light sensor 12 on its back surface) typicallywill be able to detect the messages, due to reflection of the light 57that is emitted from the messaging units 52.

As shown, in most of the space 230, the messaging units 52 aresufficiently far apart that the light 57 emitted from their lightsources 55 does not significantly overlap. This may be, for example,because conventional light sources (not shown) are disposed between themessaging units 52, so that although the entire space 230 isilluminated, or because in only certain areas are messages beingbroadcast. However, messaging units 52D-G are sufficiently close to eachother that there are areas of significant overlap 235 between the light57D-G, respectively, that they emit. As noted above, in these overlapareas 235, multiplexing, color separation and/or other techniques can beused to distinguish the messages broadcast by one messaging unit 52 fromthe messages broadcast by another.

Another exemplary layout is shown in FIG. 10. Here, messaging units 52are located on or attached to the shelves 232 so that the light isemitted primarily laterally, rather than downwardly. As a result, theparticular message received by a user device 10 might depend not only onthe location of the user device 10, but also its orientation (e.g.,whether its back surface is generally oriented in the direction ofmessaging unit 52J or messaging unit 52K which is directly across theaisle).

In addition, FIG. 10 illustrates certain messaging patterns. Initially,for example, the user 60 may be browsing items on the shelf 232A atposition 241, facing toward messaging unit 52L. There, the user's device10 receives and presents a message from messaging unit 52L that might berelated to a product on the shelf 232 in fairly close proximity tomessaging unit 52L (e.g., a promotional message).

Alternatively (or in addition), the user's device 10 receives andpresents a message from messaging unit 52L that directs the user 60 to adifferent position 242 within the overall space 230, at an orientationfacing messaging unit 52M. Such a message might be in the form of apromotion for a product located at or near messaging unit 52M orposition 242. Alternatively, such a message might be in the form of aclue or other indirect instruction. In this latter case, the user 60might need to move about within the space 230 until he or she finallyfinds the correct position 242 and orientation. In that event, the userapp might cease receiving messages until it picks up the broadcast frommessaging unit 52M. On the other hand, the user app might be configuredso as to receive and present messages from other messaging units (e.g.,containing additional clues about position 242 and/or a shelf locationnear messaging unit 52M). As noted above, user device 10 might receivemultiple messages from a particular messaging unit 52 and then selectthe one with the appropriate clue based on the device's previoushistory. In any event, a messaging pattern is being used to guide a user60 around the space 230. This use of individual messages to guide theuser 60 may be repeated any number of times, causing or encouraging theuser 60 to move to any number of different positions (or shelflocations) within the overall space 230. In the present example, atposition 242 facing messaging unit 52M, the user device 10 receives andpresents a message that directly or indirectly guides the user 60 toposition 243 and toward an orientation where the user 60 is facingmessaging unit 52N, so that the entire route consists of three differentpositions (i.e., guidance to two new positions and orientations from astarting position and orientation).

Such a multi-position guidance messaging pattern can be used inconnection with a game, such as a scavenger hunt, or can be used as apart of a marketing system, e.g., encouraging the user 60 to makepurchases (or at least look at items) related to what the user 60currently is looking at and/or related to the user 60's current and/orprevious (or historical): purchasing habits, location, orientation,in-store browsing, Web browsing, other online activity, or other type ofactivities. For any of such purposes, in certain embodiments the userdevice 10 receives multiple messages (either multiplexed as noted aboveor contained within a single chunk of data) but the user app only causesthe one(s) that are most appropriate based on any of the precedinghistorical information (and/or any other historical information) to bepresented.

Alternatively, e.g., when equipped with its own light source 14, theuser device 10 can transmit any such historical information to a nearbymessaging unit 52, the server 205 or the computer 65 (e.g., using any ofthe communication links described herein). Upon receiving suchinformation, the corresponding device executes computer-executableprocess steps for selecting an appropriate message to be broadcast basedon such information.

In any event, although the guidance path shown in FIG. 10 includes justthree positions 241-243 (with the user 60 being guided to two positions242 and 243 from an initial position 241), in many embodiments therewill be at least 3-8 such positions to which the user 60 is guided(starting from an initial position), with any combinations of direct andindirect guidance. Also, in the preceding embodiment, the user 60 isguided to specific locations and orientations. Although a similarguidance pattern can be used in connection with the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9, in such embodiments the system 50 ordinarily willonly guide the user 62 positions within the overall space 230 and not toany particular orientation at that position.

In the preceding embodiments, the discussion focused mainly onlight-based communications between the light sources 55 and the userdevices 10. Typically, this light will be visible light because thelight sources can then have the dual purposes of providing the necessaryillumination within the space (potentially just replacing any existinglight sources) and also providing the messaging functionality discussedherein. For this purpose, the messaging units 52 preferably arephysically configured to screw into a conventional light bulb socket orotherwise to fit into a conventional light fixture. At the same time, itis noted that in some embodiments the light emitted by some or all ofthe light sources 55 is non-visible, such as infrared or ultraviolet.

Also, the foregoing embodiments generally contemplate processes in whicha given user device 10 or 20 receives and presents messages in real timefrom the messaging units 52 to which it is exposed. However, inalternate embodiments the user device 10 or 20 receives (or downloads)messages (in whole or in part) in advance from a single messaging unit52, but initially just stores them and then only presents them when inthe presence of another specified messaging unit 52 or upon theoccurrence of any other specified condition. That is, such embodimentsuse conditional messaging, which can be helpful, e.g., when it is knownor expected that a future message will need to be presented but whenthat message includes a large amount of content or for other reasonsmight take a long time to receive.

In addition to basing the position of a particular user device 10 or 20on the identifier for the messaging unit 52 embedded within the messages(or the strongest messages) received by such device 10 or 20, any otherindicia can be used by user device 10 or 20, the messaging units 52, thecentral computer 65 or any other component of the system 50 to helpbetter or more accurately determine the position and/or orientation ofthe user 60. Examples of such indicia include the relative strength ofthe light received from multiple different messaging units 52 (due tooverlapping light patterns) and/or information provided by theaccelerometer, orientation sensor and/or other sensor(s) within the userdevice 10 or 20.

In addition to (or in some embodiments, instead of) the position and/ororientation of the user 60, any of a variety of other kinds ofinformation can be generated and used within a system according to thepresent invention. For instance, sensors on the user device 10 or 20, ona shopping basket that is being used by the user 60, and/or on theshelves, walls, ceilings and/or floors of the commercial space can beemployed to determine when specific items have been picked up by theuser 60 and/or deposited into his or her shopping basket. Such sensorscan include, e.g.: (1) a camera for taking photographs and/or videos ofthe items, which can then be uploaded (e.g., using any of the techniquesdescribed herein) to the central computer 65 and/or server 205 foridentification of the items (e.g., using conventional image-recognitiontechniques); and/or (2) one or more RFID sensors (reading correspondingRFID tags on such items). As a more specific example, a conventionalRFID tracking system can be used to determine when any particular itemis moved closer to the position of a particular user 60, how long thatitem remains with the user 60, and whether the user 60 ends up keepingthe item (such that their positions subsequently move together) or,alternatively, whether the item is returned to the shelf.

Any or all of this information, especially how long the user 60 studiedthe item and whether or not the user 60 ultimately decided to keep theitem, can be used by the central computer 65 and/or server 205 (e.g.,executing any conventional collaborative filtering algorithm) todetermine what kinds of messages to send to the user 60. Examples ofsuch messages can include promotions, deals and purchase suggestions. Inaddition, or instead, such information can be used to guide the user 60through a multi-position pattern, either by itself or in conjunctionwith any of the other information mentioned above for that purpose.

In the embodiments discussed above, the administrator 70 directlycontrols the messaging that is sent through the messaging units 52.However, in alternate embodiments, central computer 65 and/or server 205also (or instead) is accessible by outside entities that have beengranted permission (e.g., subject to any constraints imposed by theadministrator 70) to design and/or broadcast messages, or at least tosubmit message broadcasts to administrator 70 for approval before beingbroadcast.

For example, in one representative embodiment, the system 200 isimplemented within a store, shopping center or other building, andspecified manufacturers, wholesalers or other suppliers are grantedpermission to use the system 200 to promote specific items that theyprovide. In this embodiment, the supplier signs into system 200 usingits provided credentials, references a desired product (e.g., by its UPCcode) and submits a promotion with respect to such product. In thepreferred implementation, if the promotion and/or the supplier has beenpreapproved by the administrator 70, the promotion is automaticallyintegrated into the message broadcast schedule of system 200. Otherwise,it is automatically submitted for review by the administrator 70 and,only when approved (e.g., as to content and/or timing), is it integratedinto the message broadcast schedule. In either case, such integrationoften will involve server 205 or computer 65 automatically modifyingand/or supplementing the submitted promotion, e.g., based on thelocation of the product within the retail space and/or otherlocation-specific information.

By providing such access to system 200, suppliers can directlycommunicate with their end customers, e.g., guiding potential customersto certain areas for them to scan the subject product from their phones20 (or other user devices). At the same time, by charging a fee for suchaccess, retailers also can benefit. Computer 65 or server 205 preferablyis configured to present a user interface to administrator 70, providingadministrator 70 with significant flexibility in granting orconditioning access rights (e.g., by supplier, by product and bymessage) so that the corresponding retailer can have as much or aslittle involvement in the ongoing message broadcasts as it wants.

Tracking and Location Monitoring.

In the embodiments discussed above, a network of spatially dispersedmessaging units 52 is used for delivering spatially relevantcommunications. A similar network of messaging units can be used fortracking and/or monitoring the locations of one or more people or items.Such a system can be valuable, e.g.: (1) in a workplace setting forhelping management to better understand how resources currently arebeing deployed, in real time, and how they might be deployed in thefuture to improve efficiency; (2) in a public or semi-public space forefficiently deploying security personnel; or (3) for coordinating theactivities of robots and/or other fully or partially automated devices.

In any of these additional embodiments, the messaging units 52 can bearranged, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 9 or 10. When used for trackingor monitoring people, a user device 10 or 20, as discussed above, oftenwill be used as a receiving unit within a tracking and/orlocation-monitoring system according to the present embodiments.However, any of a variety of other types of receiving units instead canbe used.

In this regard, FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a representative receivingunit 250 according to the present invention. Included within thereceiving unit 250 is one or more sensors 252 for receiving signalsbroadcast by the messaging units 52 (typically in the form of visible,infrared or ultraviolet light) and converting such received signals intoelectrical signals. As indicated above, for user devices 10 or 20, oneor more built-in cameras can function as sensor(s) 252. Alternatively,e.g., sensor(s) 252 can be implemented as simple light-intensitysensors, such as one or more phototransistors. In any event, theelectrical signals output from sensor(s) 252 are provided to a processor254 which, as discussed in greater detail below, is configured toprocess such signals in order to obtain more useful information, tostore such signals and/or information into memory 255 and/or to causethe transmission of such signals and/or information to one or more otherdevices, e.g., using a radio transmitter 257 (for radio broadcasts)and/or one or more LEDs or other light sources 258 (for light-basedbroadcasts). A monitor 260 optionally may be included within, or as partof, receiving unit 250 (e.g., for user devices 10 or 20) for displayingthe current location and/or orientation of the receiving unit 250, anyother information that is based on such location and/or orientationinformation, and/or other type of information.

Similar to some of the previous embodiments, each of the messaging units52 preferably is configured to continually broadcast one or moremessages. In certain embodiments the different messaging units broadcastdifferent messages that include different corresponding “locationcodes”, e.g., where each such location code can be used to identify thelocation of the corresponding messaging unit 52. For this purpose, eachsuch location code can, e.g., either directly specify the location ofthe messaging unit 52 or can identify the messaging unit 52 so that itslocation can be determined (e.g., using a lookup table). In certainembodiments, the location code is a CDMA code that the messaging unit 52utilizes to encode its transmission, thereby allowing the receivingunits 250 to distinguish transmissions from different messaging units52. In addition, or instead, the substance of the message that isbroadcast by a messaging unit 52 can include its location code. Incertain preferred embodiments, each messaging unit 52 continually andrepeatedly broadcasts the same message, such that each essentiallyserves as a reliable location beacon.

In some embodiments, in order to permit the receiving units 250 todistinguish the different messaging units 52 and/or to provideinformation that can be used in determining the location of thereceiving unit 250, the broadcasts of the different messaging units 52are coordinated as part of an overall system. For instance, differentmessaging units 52 might broadcast at different frequencies or otherwisehave different pulse patterns, as well as (or instead of) usingdifferent CDMA codes. In one set of embodiments, the pulses broadcast byspatially adjacent messaging units 52 are time-division multiplexed.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 270 performed by areceiving unit 250 within an overall tracking and/or monitoring systemaccording to a representative embodiment of the present invention.Ordinarily, process 270 is performed by processor 254 reading acorresponding set of computer-readable/executable process steps out ofmemory 255 and then executing them.

Initially, in step 271 the receiving unit 250 receives one or moredigital messages that have been broadcast by one or more correspondingmessaging units 52 within the network. As noted above, the receivingunit 250 can include just a single omni-directional (at least within a180° range, e.g., only front-facing or rear-facing) sensor 252 for thispurpose, as often would be the case for many user devices 10 or 20, orpotentially even plural such sensors 252 (e.g., one on the front and oneon the back of such a user device 10 or 20).

Alternatively, the receiving unit 250 can include two or moredirectional sensors 252, such as directional sensor 300 (shown in FIG.13). Sensor 300 mainly includes a phototransistor 302 that senses lightintensity and also includes at least one lens 304 above itslight-sensing element for providing the desired directionality. Inalternate embodiments, other optical arrangements, such as mirrors orcombinations of lenses and mirrors can be used to provide such desireddirectionality. In any event, a directional sensor according to thepreferred embodiments exhibits its a highest signal gain in oneparticular direction, and its signal gain decreases the more the angleof the light source varies from that maximum-gain direction. Althoughdirectional sensor 300 sometimes is used as an example in the followingdiscussion, references to it may be replaced with references to anyother type of directional optical sensor.

The use of plural directional sensors 300, pointed in differentdirections, generally results in two or more distinct electrical signalsfor each optical signal that is received. One example of such a sensorarrangement is embodied in sensor assembly 320 (shown in FIG. 14), whichincludes four different sensors 321-324 pointed in four differentdirections 326-329, respectively. That is, each of the sensors 321-324has a direction or angle of maximum signal gain (or sensitivity)326-329, respectively, and as the angle between a light source and thesubject sensor diverges from this maximum-sensitivity angle, the gain orsensitivity decreases (i.e., for a given light intensity, the signallevel that is detected decreases as this angle increases).

In addition, as noted above but not shown in FIG. 14, sensor assembly320 preferably includes a processor 254, memory 255 and a transmitter(257 and/or 258), together with a battery, capacitor or other elementfor storing and then providing electrical energy, so that assembly 320is an entirely self-contained unit in a relatively small package. Inalternate embodiments, in order to power assembly 320, sensors 321-324can be implemented as photovoltaic cells, separate photovoltaic cellscan be included on assembly 320, and/or any other type ofelectrical-energy-generating device (e.g. generating electricity frommotion, changes in temperature, etc.) can be provided on assembly 320,so that assembly 320 can be used continuously without batteryreplacement or recharging from an external source. It is noted thatassembly 320 can be implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC), asa single circuit board, or in any other (preferably small) package.

In many of the embodiments discussed above, a relatively costlymultipurpose user device 10 or 20 is used as a receiving unit 250.However, as indicated by the example of assembly 320 above, a simplerspecial-purpose device instead can be used, e.g., a device that includesjust one or more sensors 252, a processor 254 (such as amicrocontroller), a small amount of memory 255 (which can be included onthe same IC as the processor), and a LED or other type of transmissiondevice 257 or 258. Such a simpler, lower-cost, special-purpose device320 can be particularly advantageous when tracking or monitoring a largenumber of people, pets, objects, machines or anything else, and isdiscussed in greater detail below.

Returning to FIG. 12, in step 272 the receiving unit 250 (e.g., userdevice 10 or 20, or assembly 320) identifies location information basedon the messages received in step 271. This location information can benothing more than the signal(s) received (e.g., at each of the sensors321-324). Alternatively, such location information can be generated byprocessing of the received signals to varying degrees. For example, thereceiving unit's processor 254 might identify the messaging unit(s) 52from which it has received a broadcast message, e.g., in any of the waysdiscussed above in connection with step 162, such as by usingtime-division selectivity or code-division selectivity or, even moresimply, by detecting an identification code (e.g., a unique code) thathas been broadcast by each such messaging unit. Still further, moreprecise location information (and, potentially, even orientationinformation) can be generated by: (1) comparing the sensor-generatedsignals for individual messaging units 52 to determine the angles tosuch messaging units 52 (as described in greater detail below), and thentriangulating to establish a position (or location) for, and/or anorientation of, the receiving unit 250; (2) comparing relative timing ofpulses received from multiple different messaging units 52 (particularlywhere such messaging units 52 have different pulse frequencies or otherdifferences in their pulse characteristics) in order to identifydistances to such messaging units 52, and then triangulating; or (3)using any combination of the foregoing techniques and/or any otherlight-based direction-measuring or distance-measuring technique(s).Generally speaking, the amount of processing used to generate thelocation information in this step 272 will depend upon theprocessing-power of the receiving unit 250.

Next, in step 274 the receiving unit 250 transmits (e.g., usingtransmitter 257 or light source 258) and/or stores (e.g., into memory255) the location information identified in step 272. Often, thereceiving unit 250 will store the location information if it is amultipurpose device (such as a tablet or smart phone) and, therefore,will be able to use its current location in connection with other (e.g.,higher-level) processing. On the other hand, for the simpler sensorassembly 320, the receiving unit 250 often will simply transmit thelocation information on to another device, e.g., for additionalprocessing to identify the location of the receiving unit 250 and/or touse such location information for any of a variety of differentpurposes. In many cases, transmission will be desirable whether or notthe location information is stored for use by the receiving unit 250, sothat other systems and/or devices will have access to it. Suchtransmission, for instance, can be optical (e.g., using its own LED 258)or can use radio waves (e.g., Bluetooth, near-field communications orWi-Fi).

Thus, in certain embodiments the receiving unit 250 itself identifiesits location and/or uses that location information locally for its ownprocessing purposes (e.g., to assist its user or for autonomousnavigation). In other embodiments, either or both of such tasks is/areperformed by a separate monitoring/tracking device or system, in orderto limit the processing load on the receiving unit 250. In either event,at some point the location of the receiving unit 250 is identified(e.g., using any of the techniques discussed above in connection withstep 272) based on the location information collected or generated bythe receiving unit 250.

The simplest way to determine location is to identify the messagingunit(s) 52 from which messages were received in step 271 and thenretrieve the location(s) of such messaging unit(s) 52, e.g., using alookup table. If messages were received from more than one messagingunit 52, a simple average of their positions can be calculated todetermine a coarse location. Alternatively, a weighted average, e.g.,based on the signal strength received from each, can be calculated, andin many cases will provide a better estimation of location.

On the other hand, if plural directional sensors were used by thereceiving unit 250, then a corresponding plurality of signals will bereceived for each messaging unit 52, and the broadcast from eachmessaging unit 52 ordinarily will be received at a different signalstrength at each such sensor (assuming the sensors have differentdirectionalities). Comparing and/or processing these differing signalstrengths, e.g., using known techniques, can provide a more preciselocation.

FIG. 15 illustrates this concept, showing a sensor assembly 320 with twosensors 321 and 323 and their respective reception beam centerdirections 326 and 328. Light coming from a direction 336 that isdirectly perpendicular to sensor assembly 320 is approximately 30°offset from each of the beam center directions 326 and 328. Accordingly,sensors 321 and 323 would detect such light at approximately the samesignal level. On the other hand, light coming from the direction 337,which roughly coincides with direction 326 and is approximately 60°offset from directions 328, would be detected at a much stronger levelby sensor 321 then by sensor 323. Similarly, light coming from thedirection 338, which roughly coincides with direction 328 and isapproximately 60° offset from directions 326, would be detected at amuch stronger level by sensor 323 then by sensor 321.

In other words, by comparing the signal strengths detected at sensors321 and 323 (e.g., using a lookup table or a pre-stored formula for thatmodels the gain profiles of the sensors 321 and 323) from a singlesource, it is possible to fairly accurately identify the position of thesource relative to the sensor assembly 320. One way to compare suchsignal strengths is to calculate a ratio of their magnitudes; then thatratio can be mapped directly (e.g., using a lookup table or a formula)to an angle at which the light is incident upon the sensor assembly 320.One advantage of employing such a ratio is that doing so eliminates anyeffects of intensity variation from the source (i.e., messaging units52). However, other ratios (e.g., power ratios or the like) or othercomparison metrics instead (or also) can be used. Also, the mapping ofthe comparison metric value to an angle can be predetermined based onthe physics of the sensor assembly 320 or can be determined empirically(e.g., calibrated). Use of additional sensors (resulting in additionalsignals for characterizing each messaging unit 52 or other source)and/or generating and then processing signals based on the broadcastsreceived from different messaging units 52 (e.g., resulting in angles toother known points) can provide additional information that can be usedto more precisely determine the location and/or orientation of thesensor assembly 320, as well as to identify and correct potential errors(e.g., caused by differential shading of different portions of thesensor assembly 320).

Another technique referenced above involves the calculation of distancesbased on differences in the pulse characteristics for differentmessaging units 52. For instance, if two messaging units 52 transmitpulses at different frequencies, then the phase shift between theircorresponding signals received by a given sensor 252 will provide anindication of their relative distances. By using coordinated sequencesof different frequencies for two or more different messaging units 52,and then calculating phase-shift information from multiple differentmessaging units 52, actual distances (to these known points) can bedetermined by taking into account the speed of light and usingstraightforward mathematics. Then, the location and/or orientation ofthe receiving unit 250 can be calculated using triangulation.

As noted above, each individual source (i.e., messaging units 52) mightbe identified, e.g., by decoding the received signals using differentCDMA codes for the different sources (in which case the CDMA codesthemselves function as identification codes that can be used todetermine the locations of the corresponding messaging units 52) or inany other manner in which the individual messaging units 52 broadcastdifferent identification (or, equivalently, location) codes. Asindicated in the preceding sentence, a unique identification code, or anon-unique identification code in combination with other information(e.g., past location history that indicates a general current location)that together uniquely identify a messaging unit 52, can be easilymapped to the known location of the messaging unit, so that the terms“identification code” and “location code” often can be usedinterchangeably. By using multiple directional sensors 300 and/oridentifying the positions of multiple signal sources (e.g., messagingunits 52), it can be possible to very precisely identify the locationand the orientation of the sensor assembly 320 (or other receiving unit250).

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a representative process 360performed by a location-monitoring and/or location-tracking device inresponse to the transmission of location information in step 274. Asindicated above, in certain embodiments, such a device is included inthe overall system. For example, with reference to system 50 or system200, described above, this device might be central computer 65 or server205. In any event, the following process steps preferably areimplemented as computer-executable process steps, which are read out ofmemory or any other storage device and then executed by one or morecomputer processors.

Initially, in step 362 the location information that was transmitted bythe receiving unit 250 is received. This step can be accomplished in avariety of different ways, typically depending upon the manner in whichthe location information has been transmitted. For instance, if themessage had been transmitted by the receiving unit 250 flashing a LED orother light source 258, it might initially be received by a sensor 58and then forwarded to the subject monitoring and/or tracking device(e.g., over Wi-Fi, over a LAN or using a direct hardwired connection).On the other hand, if the message had been transmitted via a radiosignal, it might initially be received by a nearby messaging unit 52 viaits antenna 54, and then forwarded to the subject monitoring and/ortracking device (e.g., over Wi-Fi, over a LAN or using a directhardwired connection). In any event, the corresponding signal is coupledto the processor for the monitoring and/or tracking device (e.g., eitherdirectly or placed in storage for subsequent access by such device).

In step 363, the current location of the receiving unit 250 isidentified and/or updated, e.g., in a stored database associated withthe subject monitoring and/or tracking device. The processing performedin this step 363 preferably depends upon the format of the receivedlocation information. For instance, if the received location informationalready identifies the location of the subject receiving unit 250, thenordinarily that information is simply stored and/or used (e.g., byanother application running on the monitoring and/or tracking device oron any other device coupled to it). On the other hand, in many cases,particularly where the receiving unit 250 has limited processingcapacity and/or limited energy resources for performing processing, thelocation information provided by the receiving unit 250 will includejust exactly or essentially what was received by it from the messagingunit(s) 52. In these latter cases, additional processing is firstperformed in this step 363, e.g., as described above in connection withstep 272 and elsewhere, in order to identify an actual physical locationfor the messaging unit 250.

Depending upon the particular embodiment, just the current location ofthe receiving unit 250 is stored and/or used, or a history of where thereceiving unit 250 has been over some period of time (e.g., during atleast the past 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, two hours,four hours, eight hours, one day, three days or one week) is storedand/or used. Similarly, although a single receiving unit 250 isreferenced above, in many embodiments the physical locations for aplurality of such receiving units are monitored, tracked, stored and/orused, such as at least 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000 or 10,000such receiving units. The more data points that are collected andstored, the more useful information that can be generated. For example,by tracking multiple receiving units 250, it can be possible to identifyfoot traffic patterns and/or bottlenecks and, as a result, to designmore efficient floor plans and/or business processes.

Security Systems.

As noted above, a system according to the present invention can beimplemented in a variety of different kinds of spaces and for a varietyof different purposes. One set of embodiments includes security-systemand/or access-control functionality. A block diagram of one suchexemplary system 400 is illustrated in FIG. 17. As shown, system 400includes a messaging unit 52, a receiving unit 250 and an access-controlunit 410. Examples of hardware configurations for the messaging unit 52and the receiving unit 250 have been described above. However, asdiscussed in greater detail below, in the present embodiments, thesecomponents are again configured somewhat differently from the other setsof embodiments discussed above, e.g., using different sets ofcomputer-executable process steps (or software).

In the preferred embodiments, access-control unit 410 functions as, orat least controls, a gateway to a resource, such as stored information,one or more physical items or a physical space. Preferably,access-control unit 410 includes two main subcomponents: (1) anaccess-control component 412, which typically includes a processor,memory and/or other type of storage device, and which is the mainprocessing component of access-control unit 410, performing theprocessing steps ascribed to access-control unit 410 below; and (2) oneor more user interfaces, such as (a) a keyboard 414, a keypad (notshown), a touchscreen (not shown) or any other interface for enteringinformation manually, (b) a radio receiver 416, an optical sensor (notshown) for receiving light-based communications, or any other interfacefor receiving information wirelessly, and/or (c) a physical port (notshown) for receiving a wired connection with receiving unit 250. In thediscussion below, references to keyboard 414 can be replaced withreferences to any other interface(s) for entering information manually,and references to radio receiver 416 can be replaced with references toany other interface(s) for receiving information wirelessly.

A description of how the foregoing components interact with each otherwithin a system 400 according to certain representative embodiments ofthe present invention is now described with reference to FIG. 18. Morespecifically, FIG. 18 shows an overall process 430 in which some of theindividual process steps are executed by the messaging unit 52, some areexecuted by the receiving unit 250, and some are executed by theaccess-control unit 410, as described in greater detail below. As willbecome apparent, although in some cases the individual process steps maybe based on, or triggered by, manual input, such process stepspreferably are mainly or substantially automated, being stored ascomputer-executable process steps, and executed by the processorassociated with the corresponding device.

Initially, in step 431 a request is submitted by the receiving unit 250and then received by the messaging unit 52 or by any other device thatis in communication with access-control unit 410. In the preferredembodiments, this request signals a desire by the user 60 or thereceiving unit 250 to have access to a protected resource. It can, forexample, be transmitted wirelessly (e.g., via radio signals using radiotransmitter 257 or via modulated broadcasts of light using LEDs or otherlight sources 258), entered manually (e.g., via keyboard interface 414),or submitted via a wire or cable connection. In any event, the requestcan be generic and/or can include information identifying the user 60and/or the receiving unit 250. However, as discussed below, in certainembodiments, this step 431 is omitted.

In step 432, a digital message is broadcast by messaging unit 52. Thisstep 432 can be triggered by the receipt of a request in step 431 orelse, e.g., where step 431 is omitted, it can be performed periodically(e.g., continuously at intervals not greater than 1, 5 or 10 seconds),or it can be performed based on any other triggering condition (e.g.,attempted access of the certain webpage, physical motion within aparticular space, detection of a person in a particular location, and/ordetection of a particular type of electronic device in a particularlocation). In any event, the digital message preferably is broadcast byflashing the light source 55 on and off, e.g., in any manner describedabove, and includes a secret (e.g., randomly or pseudo-randomlygenerated) code. Such a code can be generated independently or can begenerated (e.g., using encryption and/or hashing) based on information(if any) within the request received in step 431 (e.g., informationidentifying the user 60 and/or the receiving unit 250).

In step 434, the receiving unit 250 receives the digital message thatwas broadcast in step 432 via its sensor(s) 252, which typicallyconverts the light-based signal into an electrical signal. Thiselectrical signal is then coupled to the processor 254 of the receivingunit 250.

In step 435, based on the message received in step 434, receiving unit250 transmits or displays certain related information. In certainembodiments, the information transmitted or displayed in this step 435is just the same information (e.g., code) received in step 434. In otherembodiments, the received information is supplemented with informationassociated with the user 60 or the receiving unit 250, such as apersonal password of the user 60, a code generated from a biometric scanof user 60 (e.g., a fingerprint or thumbprint, or a photograph of theuser 60 or some feature of the user 60), a unique identification codefor receiving unit 250, or any combination of the foregoing. Preferably,one or more of such codes is used as, or is used as the basis for, anencryption code to encrypt one or more of such other codes. In anyevent, the result preferably is a code indicating that the user 60and/or the user's receiving unit 250 currently is in the vicinity ofmessaging unit 52. Such information can be transmitted, e.g., bymodulating one or more light sources 258 or via a radio transmitter 257.Alternatively, such information can be simply displayed on a monitor 260(e.g., in alphanumeric form or other format that is easily readable by ahuman, or in a more computer-friendly format, such as a QR code).

In step 437, an access code is received by access-control unit 410. Ifthe information in step 435 had been transmitted, and then suchinformation is received by an appropriate sensor or receiver (e.g.,radio receiver 416) and the access code is derived therefrom in thisstep 437. Alternatively, if the information had been displayed in step435, then, e.g., in this step 437: (1) it could be read optically (e.g.,by having an optical sensor directly read the display from monitor 260);or (2) it could have been read by the user 60 who then inputs it (or acode based on the displayed information) manually (e.g., via keyboard414).

In step 438, access-control unit 410 determines whether the receivedaccess code is correct (e.g., corresponds to a reference code that isbased on the digital message broadcast by the messaging/modulationcontroller and/or matches an expected code for an authorized user 60 oran authorized receiving unit 250). If so, then processing proceeds tostep 440 in which access to the desired resource is granted. If not,then processing proceeds to step 441 in which access is denied. In thisregard, the granting of access may involve, e.g., providing access torestricted portions of a website, providing access (e.g., read, write orboth) to any other restricted data, opening an electromechanical lock topermit access to a restricted location or space, making availablecertain restricted electronically-implemented orelectronically-controlled functionality, opening restrictedcommunication channels, or providing access to any other restrictedphysical, virtual or intangible resource.

Light-Based Communications Based on Characterization Information.

Generally speaking, the embodiments discussed above concern systems,methods and techniques for communicating with a variety of users 60within a particular space, such as customers within a retail or othercommercial space. Such communications can be based on any of a varietyof different factors. For example, in most of the previous embodiments,the communications are based on the current locations of the individualusers 60 and, in some cases, based on the previous locations ormovements of such users 60. Furthermore, in some of the previouslydiscussed embodiments, the communications also (or instead) are based onindividual characteristics or other previous activities of the users 60and/or other individuals within the covered space. The presentembodiments include additional options for providing user-specificcommunications, particularly for communicating based on the end-user's,the recipient's and/or their companions' individual characteristics.

The present embodiments can operate within the context of a variety ofdifferent systems, such as system 50 or system 200, described above. Onesuch system 470 (which otherwise could have structure of system 50 orsystem 200) is illustrated in FIG. 19. As shown, system 470 has acentral server 475 which can include, e.g., computer 65, server 205 or acombination of the two. Central server 475 preferably receivesinformation 477 from various sources (such as those noted below) andthen processes such information 477 to create or identify messages 478to be broadcast or otherwise sent (and subsequently received anddisplayed by the user devices 10 or 20 of individual users 60) based onsuch information 477. More preferably, central server 475 causes theidentified messages 478 to be distributed to the appropriatemessaging/modulation controllers (e.g., controllers 56), which in turnoutput control signals 479 to the light sources 55, causing them tobroadcast such messages 478 by modulating their light output 480 (e.g.,using a selected encoding technique so that they can be received by theappropriate user devices 10 or 20).

Information 477 preferably pertains to the individual users 60 and, insome cases, also pertains to other people within the covered space(e.g., as described in greater detail below). As noted above, suchinformation 477 can be collected in any of a variety of different ways,using a variety of different system components. For example, the user 60might submit information about, or a profile of, himself or herselfthrough a user device 10 or 20, or through a different computer ordevice. In addition, or instead, one or more sensors (e.g., sensors 75or sensors on the user devices 10 or 20) can be used to automaticallycollect information regarding the users 60 and/or such other people.Still further, information 477 may be manually input by a differentperson, such as an associate 73 using a device 72. Generally speaking,such information-collection approaches can be divided into substantiallyautomated approaches using sensors or substantially manual approachesusing input devices, although hybrid devices that permit a combinationof such approaches also (or instead) may be employed.

As to the use of automated sensors 75, many options are available. Forexample, cameras can be used to capture still images or video, which canthen be stored for future reference and also manually examined and/orautomatically processed using available algorithms to identify anydesired information, such as approximate age and gender, height, facialcharacteristics, or other biometric information, which then can be usedto recognize, or to confirm the identities of, individual people. RFIDsensors, operating in conjunction with RFID tags on individual items,can be used to determine, e.g., what objects an individual picks upand/or how long he/she holds them. Infrared sensors can be used todetect individual people. Laser range finders can be used in conjunctionwith cameras or other sensors to identify locations of people. Radioreceivers (e.g., having scanning directional antennas) can be used tolocate individuals using wireless devices, e.g., including those who arenot communicating within a system according to the present invention.Information 477 from multiple different sensors 75 (e.g., any of theforegoing sensors) can be used by central server 475 to triangulate thelocations of individual people. In certain embodiments, e.g., using anyof the techniques described herein, the central server 475 tracks thelocations of the users 60 and, in some cases, other individuals as well.

Sensors on the user 60's device 10 or 20 (e.g., under control of a userapp for communicating within the present system 470) can obtaininformation regarding, e.g., movements made by the user 60, Web browsinghistory, texting history, e-mailing history, telephone use history andvarious other previous explicit uses of the device 10 or 20 by the user60, as well as the times and locations of such uses. Then, the user appcauses such information (or information derived from such information,e.g., to protect the user 60's privacy) to be transmitted along with theother information 477 to the central server 475.

As noted above, the central server 475 preferably implements a trackingsystem that tracks locations of users 60 and, in some cases, of thepeople within the covered space. Typically, such a tracking systeminputs sensor data (discussed above) and then combines such data usingavailable techniques (such as triangulation, Kalman filtering, etc.) togenerate the tracking information.

Such tracking information is then combined with all of the othercollected information 477 to identify or obtain the messages 478 thatare directed to individual users 60, e.g., using collaborativefiltering, neural-network processing, clustering algorithms and/or anyof the other techniques described herein or otherwise available foridentifying effective messages, particularly available techniques fortargeting advertising messages. The combination of long-term data (suchas gender and age) and temporary data (such as an assessment of the user60's current mood) often can provide for much better message targetingthat is available conventionally. In addition, the combination ofautomatically collected data and real-time input from human observerscan further improve such targeting. Still further, use of currentinformation regarding a user 60's companions, as well as informationregarding the user 60 himself or herself, often can provide even morerelevant message targeting, e.g., by taking into account any influencessuch companions are likely to have on the user 60's purchasing decisionsand/or any distractions such companions are causing user 60.

With respect to manual input, clustering, machine-learning and otherstatistical techniques can be used to evaluate and weight the inputsfrom different associates 73, either on an overall basis or on acharacteristic-by-characteristic basis. For example, one associate 73might be very good at estimating the ages of users 60, while anothermight be good at assessing a user 60's current mood. By statisticallycorrelating such assessments over a large number of characteristics andindividual users 60, correlation strengths can be determined so thatfuture assessments can be weighted more or less heavily based on who theassociate 73 is and what the specific characteristic is.

For the foregoing purposes, the raw information 477 provided by sensors75, provided by sensors on the user devices 10 or 20, input by the users60 themselves, input by an associate 73, or obtained in any other waymay be directly used by the central server 475 or may be first processedto obtain more relevant derivative information that is then used inconstructing or identifying effective messages. In the preferredembodiments, the particular information to use is identified based onstatistical evaluations of the types of information that are mostrelevant to achieving a particular defined goal or subgoal.

In this regard, the goals sought to be achieved by a system 470according to the present embodiments can include, e.g., motivating theuser 60 to: move to a different location within the covered space,purchase or at least examine or consider a particular item, engage in agame or contest, participate in some other group activity, orcommunicate with friends or family by telephone or electronic messaging.Once a particular goal has been identified (e.g., by a manager or otherindividual associated with the system 470), the particular messages 478preferably are selected by the central server 475 so as to maximize thelikelihood that the users 60 will take the corresponding action. Inaddition, the same user-specific information-based approach can be usedto first identify subgoal(s) that are likely to cause individual users60 to take the action associated with the main goal and then tocommunicate messages 478 that are likely to cause the individual users60 to engage in the action(s) corresponding to such subgoal(s).

As noted above, the information 477 also can be input manually, eitherby the user 60 or by other individuals, such as one or more associates73. In the former case, the information 477 generally is input when theuser 60 manually creates a profile, which is then transmitted to centralserver 475. In the latter case, associate device 72 preferably providesa dedicated user interface for inputting information regarding the user60 and, in certain cases, other individuals as well. Pages 500, 530 and580, taken from one example of such a user interface, are illustrated inFIGS. 20-22, respectively.

Interface page 500, shown in FIG. 20, displays a section 501 of thespace covered by a LiFi system 470 (e.g., configured as system 50 or200) according to the present invention. The particular section 501illustrated on page 500 is identified in box 502. When the down arrow503 is touched or clicked, a drop-down list is displayed and a differentsection of the covered space may be selected for illustration.Alternatively, a graphical user interface page that displays the entirecovered space, divided into sections, may be displayed so that theassociate 73 has the ability to select or designate the section that isdesired to be displayed. In fact, such an overall map of the entirecovered space may be presented initially for the associate 73 to selectthe desired section to view. However, in the preferred embodiments, thecurrent location of associate 73 is tracked by central server 475 andthe section corresponding to associate 73's current location isdisplayed by default, with the displayed section automatically changingas associate 73 moves through the covered space, using either predefinedsections or ad hoc sections, based on associate 73's current location(as to the latter, e.g., with the currently displayed section beingcentered at associate 73's location).

In the present example, the covered space is a commercial space, such asa retail store or a mall, and the illustrated section 501 includesshelves 232. To further assist the associate 73 (in this example,typically a salesperson or sales associate), the shelves or any otherareas of the displayed section 501 optionally are labeled with the typesof items that are located in that subsection or with any otherinformation that can provide the associate 73 with visual context.

In any event, the locations of some or all of the users 60 aredesignated by icons 505 (in the present example, black dots). In thepresent embodiment, the icons 505 are displayed only for registeredusers 60 whose user devices 10 or 20 are on and are in bidirectionalcommunication with the system 470 (e.g., those transmitting signals fromtheir user devices 10 or 20 to the central server 475 through the LiFinetwork, a Wi-Fi network or in any other manner). As a result, e.g.,using any of the techniques discussed herein, a fairly precise locationof each such user 60 typically can be obtained. By displaying suchlocations in this way, it is possible for an associate 73, operating anassociate device 72, to easily match up individuals he or she seeswithin section 501 with the icons 505 that are displayed on interfacepage 500. Optionally, the location of associate device 72 also isdisplayed on page 500, e.g., to even better assist associate 73 inmatching customers or other users 60 to the displayed icons 505.

Then, touching or clicking on one of the icons 505 preferably causes anew user-interface page to be displayed, e.g., one that permitsinformation about the corresponding user 60 to be input and/or thatdisplays information already known about such user 60. An example ispage 530, shown in FIG. 21.

In the preferred embodiments, page 530 is pre-populated by the centralserver 475 with information it has previously obtained. More preferably,information that has been previously input by the current associate 73(e.g., the logged-in user on the device 72 on which page 530 currentlyis being displayed) is highlighted (e.g., displayed in bold, in adifferent color, or in some other distinguishing manner) as compared toinformation obtained by central server 475 in other ways. In the currentembodiment, the associate 73 has the ability to modify (e.g., update) orsupplement any of the displayed (e.g., pre-populated) information.

In addition, in some cases it will be apparent that the informationpreviously obtained does not correspond to the actual user 60 that theassociate 73 is observing. This might be because, e.g., a single userdevice 10 or 20 is shared by two or more people (such as a husband and awife). In that case, arrow buttons 532 and 533 can be used to navigatebackward or forward, respectively, among the various individuals whopreviously have been associated with the current user device 10 or 20 orwith the current login information for the user 60, e.g., with eachclick or touch of one of the arrow buttons 532 or 533 bringing up a page530 that has been pre-populated with personal characteristic informationcorresponding to a different individual who has previously been observedin connection with the present user device 10 or 20 or the present logininformation, as applicable. If none of these previously observedindividuals seem to match the present individual, “New” button 535 canbe touched or clicked to bring up a blank page 530 for inputtinginformation about the current individual.

A variety of different types of information can be input and/or can bepre-populated and displayed within page 530. In addition, although onlya single such page is discussed, multiple different information pagescan be provided for each individual. The specific information shown onpage 530 includes a designation of gender (selectable by clicking on oneof the radio buttons 537), one or more photographs that are displayed inregion 538, age field 540, name field 545 and a field 546 for anyadditional notes. However, these types of information are merelyexemplary. Fields, buttons or any other user interface elements for anyof a variety of other kinds of information about the user 60 may also(or instead) be included, typically depending upon what information isdeemed most useful for the desired purposes. Examples include: currentmanner of dress (e.g., business professional, business casual,recreational, trendy or urban), ZIP code or other indication of theuser's neighborhood of residence, interests, social media friends orcontacts, or any other personal or demographic information.

On the other hand, a great deal of information 477 may be collected bythe central server 475, while only a portion of it is displayed on page530. Typically, it will be most desirable to include on page 530information types that either: (1) are only (or at least best) capableof being personally observed and/or (2) would be useful to an associate73 in talking to or otherwise personally interacting with thecorresponding user 60. Also, in certain embodiments the fields and/orchoices displayed on page 530 are varied dynamically based on previouslyinput or otherwise obtained information, such as different choices formood buttons 543 depending upon the user 60's age and gender.

Generally, unless there is an indication that the determination was madeby an automated process, once one of the male/female radio buttons 537has been selected it will not be subsequently changed by the currentassociate 73. However, in certain cases, e.g., where gender has beenmachine-designated based on captured video(s) or image(s), the associate73 might change the initial designation.

In any event, to assist the associate 73 in confirming that the currentuser 60 is the same individual whose information is being presented onthe current page 530, in certain embodiments previously takenphotographs are displayed in region 538 (e.g., along with navigationarrows if more than one).

Once an estimated age has been entered into the field 540 (orsubsequently updated), the central server 475 preferably automaticallyupdates it in response to the passage of time. Also, multiple differentage estimates (e.g., from different associates 73 or input at differenttimes) may be combined (e.g., averaged) together, for purposes ofpre-populating field 540 on this page 530 and/or for use in other waysby the central server 475.

A set of buttons 543 permits the associate 73 to select the currentlyperceived mood of the user 60. In the preferred embodiments, any numberof applicable labels may be selected. However, in alternate embodiments,buttons 543 are radio buttons so that only one may be selected. Asdiscussed in greater detail below, this information can be particularlyuseful in directing messages to the user 60, and it is the type ofinformation that is typically very difficult to determine throughautomated analysis.

Field 545 displays the name of the user 60, if previously obtained, orallows the associate 73 to enter a name, e.g., if he or she learns itduring a conversation with user 60. Again, this information preferablyis highlighted to indicate whether the current associate 73 previouslywas told the user's name or whether it was obtained in some othermanner. Alternatively, such information might not even be displayed tothe current associate 73 unless the same individual previously enteredit. The main reason for these displays features is that many users 60(e.g., customers) might feel uncomfortable if someone he or she has notpreviously spoken with addresses him or her by name.

Field 546 permits entry and display of additional information (e.g.,arbitrary or unformatted notes) about the user 60. Similar to buttons543, field 546 permits inputting of personal observations about the user60. However, the information in notes field 546 typically will be mostuseful to the associates 73 themselves, e.g., in providing cues abouthow to approach the user 60 and/or about what to say to user 60. At thesame time, available automated tools often will be able to extractmeaning from these notes 546 and then use such information in directingmessages or other communications to the user 60 (or at least suggestingsuch messages). Once again, for reasons similar to those mentionedabove, the notes 546 that previously have been input by the currentassociate 73 preferably are highlighted. In the particular illustratedexample of field 546, each individual note is designated by a separatebullet. In addition, each note could be accompanied by metadata,indicating, e.g., who input it and/or the date and time it was entered.

For any of the fields displayed on page 530 (e.g., any of fields 540,545 or 546), information preferably can be entered or altered using anyavailable user interface mechanisms, such as clicking or touching withinthe field and then typing in order dictating the information. Fortablets and similar touchscreen devices, touching within any such fieldpreferably results in the display of a pop-up numeric keypad oralphanumeric keyboard, as applicable, for entering the correspondinginformation.

As discussed above, user-interface elements 532, 533 and 535 are forassociating different individuals with a single user login and fornavigating among those different individuals. In addition, the user 60often will have other individuals with him or her, such as familymembers, friends or other companions. For those situations, in thepresent embodiment, clicking or touching the Companions button 548causes a new page to be displayed, preferably identical to page 530 butfor specifying and viewing information pertaining to the main user 60'sindividual companions. In this new page: arrow buttons 532 and 533 canbe used for selecting from among different individuals who previouslywere identified as companions for user 60; button 535 can be used tocreate a new record for, and input information regarding, a newcompanion; and button 548 (preferably now labeled “Back”, “Device Owner”or “Registered User”) returns the associate 73 back to page 530, showinginformation for the user 60.

The preceding discussion generally describes an embodiment in whichinformation presented to the associate 73 can include, in addition toinformation originally input by that particular associate 73 himself orherself, other information that was input by other associates 73 and/orobtained in other ways. This ordinarily will be the preferred mode, sothat each associate 73 has access to all or almost all availableinformation that either would be useful to him/her in his/herinteractions with the users 60 or would allow him/her to avoid having toinput information that has already been input by another associate orobtained in some other way. However, in the current embodiment, theassociate 73 has the option of selecting button 552 to displayinformation in the “system” mode (in which such information is displayedirrespective of how it was obtained, as generally discussed above) orbutton 553 for the “personal” mode (in which only information previouslyinput by the present associate 73 is displayed). In alternateembodiments, only the personal mode is available (i.e., so that theassociate 73 does not have a choice).

Finally, clicking or touching the “clear” button 555 clears allinformation from page 530, clicking or touching the “revert” button 556reverses the last change made by associate 73, and clicking or touchingthe “done” button 557 saves the current information to the centralserver 475 and returns the user interface to page 500.

In addition to displaying other information about the user 60, page 530(or any other page of the user interface) optionally can display avariety of different kinds of messaging information. For instance, itcould display any or all of: proposed messages for sending to thisparticular user 60, which the associate 73 can then accept, reject ormodify; or messages that were previously sent to the user 60, e.g.,together with the date and time they were sent, so that the associate 73can be better informed when speaking with or otherwise interacting withthe user 60.

In the preceding embodiments, the central server 475 only tracks thepositions of registered users 60 whose user devices 10 or 20 are on andare in bidirectional communication within the system 470. However, inalternate embodiments sensors 75 (e.g., cameras or infrared sensors todetect the individuals themselves or radio receivers to obtain locationsbased on the transmissions from people's wireless devices) are used totrack the locations of other individuals within the covered space, i.e.,those were not communicating within the system 470. As result, it oftenwill be the case that less is known about these individuals.

For such an embodiment, rather than using page 500, page 580 (shown inFIG. 22) is used to display a selected portion 501 of the covered space.In page 580, the user 60 who are in bidirectional communication with thesystem are designated with black dots 505A-C and the other detectedindividuals within the space are designated with open circles 581-587.In addition to the functionality described above in connection with page500, page 580 also provides the following functionality. Touching orclicking on any of the open circles 581-587 causes an information page530 for that individual to be displayed, although in many cases, withoutsome ability to store identifying information for such individuals, itmight be difficult to store and retrieve information for a singleindividual from one visit to the next. Facial recognition or otherbiometrics may be used for this purpose. Also, or instead, as indicatedabove, previous designations as a companion of a user 60 can be used inmaintaining the identity of such non-registered individuals.

In this regard, page 580 provides the associate 73 with the ability todesignate which of the other detected individuals appears to be with aparticular user 60. Such functionality is initiated by touching orclicking on the “group” button 590. Once this has been done, touching orclicking individual icons (e.g., any of icons 505A-C and/or icons581-587), rather than bringing up information pages 530, instead causessuch icons to be highlighted indicating that they are a group of peoplewho are together. Thus, for example, in FIG. 22, the associate 73 hastouched icons 505A and 582 (as indicated by the fact that they are nowhighlighted), meaning that associate 73 believes them to be together. Atthe same time, the individual corresponding to icon 581, although inclose proximity to this group, has not been highlighted as being withthem. Alternatively, rather than (or in addition to) designatingcompanions individually, associate 73 can click or touch “area” button591 and then draw an area, causing all icons within that area to behighlighted as being together. Once all members of a particular grouphave been highlighted in either manner, the “done” button 592 is touchedor clicked to save the information to the central server 475 and returnpage 580 to its default state (i.e., no highlighting of the icons). Thisprocedure can be repeated as many times as desired, in order to identifyany number of groups of people who appear to be together.

Other Exemplary Embodiments Using Light-Based Communications.

As will be readily apparent, the present invention is ideally suited toany environment in which a high level of spatially dependent messagingis desired. In addition, because the systems of the present inventioncan integrate with, and use much of the same infrastructure as,energy-efficient LED and other lighting, such systems can be extremelycost-efficient as well as energy-efficient.

One application of a system according to the present invention is ineducation, such as primary-level and secondary-level classrooms (e.g.,elementary schools, middle schools and high schools). However, any othereducational setting could benefit from such a system. For example, withsuch a system an instructor can divide the class into different groups,e.g., with each group learning different material, or learning the samematerial but at different speeds. Then, messaging units 52 in thedifferent locations, corresponding to the different groups, can be usedto communicate different content that is relevant to each individualgroup's particular focus. Such groups can be made as large or as smallas desired, even to the point that each “group” can consist of just asingle student (e.g., by using desk lamps as the light sources 55 forthe messaging units 52), so that individualized communications arepossible. In addition, or instead, each classroom can be designated as adifferent group, receiving different messages than the other classrooms.Also, rather than designating groups, an instructor can designatedifferent “learning stations” where different material is taught,explored or practiced, with the students moving among such differentstations.

Similar communications/messaging can be used in connection withless-formal educational settings, such as museums, galleries, displays,exhibitions or tourist sites. Here, the same light source that is usedto illuminate a particular exhibit or other item of interest also can beused to communicate information regarding that exhibit or item and/or tocommunicate information about any similar or related exhibits or items.

Other locations in which systems according to the present invention canbe beneficial include hospitals, urgent-care centers and other medicalfacilities. Here, the messaging units 52 preferably broadcastinformation that is relevant to their corresponding physical locations,such as information (e.g., medical history, current medical condition,personal preferences or other personal information) regarding a patientwithin that patient's room or within an operating room into which apatient has been or will be moved.

Still further, a system according to the present invention can utilize(e.g., work in conjunction with) any existing or future public,municipal, commercial or other lighting system or set of individuallycontrolled lights. In one embodiment, traffic lights are used tobroadcast information, such as information pertaining to events orconditions within the local vicinity (e.g., traffic, road conditions,detours, local events or traffic-light timing) or even informationpertaining to businesses or other commercial activities (e.g., togenerate revenues for the corresponding municipality). In more-specificembodiments, a sensor within a smartphone or within a user's automobilereceives traffic-light timing information in this manner, and then anassociated processor retrieves and uses GPS, traffic and/or vehiclespeedometer information, in conjunction with such traffic-light timinginformation, to generate messages that advise the driver: whether he/sheis safe to proceed, whether to speed up in order to make it through theintersection before the light turns red, or whether to prepare to stopbecause it is not possible to make it through the intersection safely orlegally. Because traffic signals are directional, different informationcan be broadcast to drivers based on the direction in which theycurrently are traveling. In addition, through integration with thevehicle's or smartphone's GPS, the incoming information from the trafficlight can be filtered and/or used based on relevance to the user'scurrent route or relevance to the user in any other way. Still further,streetlights and/or illuminated commercial signs can be configured tobroadcast any desired information to drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians,etc.

In most of the embodiments described above, the messaging units 52 arein fixed locations. However, in certain embodiments messaging units 52are mobile. For example, in one alternate embodiment one or moreautomobiles (and/or other transportation vehicles, such as trucks,buses, streetcars, other modes of public transit, motorcycles orbicycles) are configured so as to provide the functionality of messagingunits 52, e.g., with their headlights, taillights and/or any otheralready-existing or additional add-on lights functioning as the lightsources 55. In these embodiments, the vehicles preferably broadcastinformation regarding themselves, such as their current routeinformation (e.g., obtained from an onboard GPS system or via aBluetooth or other wireless connection to a smartphone implementing anavigation system), their current speed or location, whether they areabout to brake or accelerate (e.g., when coupled to an automated drivingsystem), whether the driver's foot is positioned on or above theaccelerator or the brake, and/or even vehicle or driver identificationinformation (e.g., for reception and use by police cars). Any or all ofthis information can be received by other vehicles for use inautomatically controlling the driving or operation of such othervehicles and/or for providing alerts to the drivers of such othervehicles. In addition, or instead, such information can be received bytraffic sensors for use in controlling or guiding overall traffic flowand/or by any other sensors for any other purposes.

In still further embodiments, mobile messaging units 52 are implementedas flashlights, cellphone lights (e.g., light sources 14), keychainlights or any other portable lights. In the preferred embodiments, suchmobile messaging units 52 are configured to broadcast information aboutthe corresponding user, which information is then received and used forany of a variety of purposes, such as security, identification and/orteam coordination. For instance, a properly configured keychain light orother flashlight can be used, not only to provide illumination, but alsoto broadcast a code that unlocks a home or automobile lock. A police orfirefighter's flashlight can be configured to also broadcast a codeidentifying the officer or firefighter to his or her colleagues and/orto provide other immediately relevant information, such as a live videofrom the individual's helmet cam for coordinating the activities ofmultiple individuals. Similar light-based messaging also can be employedby automated and/or robotic devices at an emergency scene, e.g., forsimilar purposes.

Also, in the embodiments discussed above, the user device 10 or 20generally is a smartphone, tablet or other portable handheld electronicdevice. However, user device 10 or 20 instead could be implemented asany other kind of device, or any combination of devices. For instance,the sensor portion 12 for receiving light-based messages can beimplemented as an eyeglass camera, such as currently is implemented inthe Google Glass product, or any other type of wearable sensor. Thelight source portion 14 for broadcasting light-based messages can beimplemented as a light on a handheld device, a wearable light source orany other kind of light. Still further, the sensor 12, light source 14and processor 254 can be included within a single device or providedwithin multiple different devices that are coupled to each other.

In short, communication systems according to the present invention caninvolve any mixture of fixed and mobile messaging units 52 and userdevices 10 or 20. Both the messaging units 52 and the user devices 10 or20 can take on any of a variety of different forms, for any of a varietyof different purposes.

In each of the foregoing embodiments, not only are highly specificlocation-based communications facilitated, but such communications canbe very secure. On that basis, systems of the present invention can bedistinguished from Wi-Fi networks and other radio-frequency-basedcommunications in which the communications signals penetrate walls andother structures and are, therefore, more easily monitored by othersthan are light-based communications according to the present invention.

Finally, in any of the embodiments discussed herein that refer tolight-based or LiFi communications, it should be understood that thereferenced communications can be performed exclusively using suchlight-based or LiFi approaches. Alternatively, any of suchcommunications instead can be performed in part using such light-basedor LiFi approaches and in part using any other (preferably wireless)communications systems, such as Wi-Fi, cellular-based, Bluetooth ornear-field communications. Similarly, in any embodiment according to thepresent invention, the referenced light-based or LiFi approaches can beused in conjunction with one or more other communications systems, suchas where the light-based or LiFi approach is used for the final link incommunicating with an end user and one or more other additionalcommunications systems are used to reach a desired server.

Other Retail Embodiments.

The foregoing embodiments often can provide an enhanced retail shoppingexperience, e.g., including unique combinations of in-store and onlineshopping benefits. The following embodiments provide, among otherthings, communications systems that often can even further improve acustomer's shopping experience.

One such embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 23, employs a communicationssystem 600. System 600 can link a number of different individuals, suchas: (a) a retailer's employee or other representative (just referred toherein as the “retail employee” or the “store employee”) 602, whotypically is present within one of the retailer's physical locations(e.g., a physical store) 601; (b) the retailer's customer 603, who mightor might not be present within the store 601; and (c) any of a number ofdifferent remote consultants 607. One significant feature of system 600,in particular, is the provision of a communication link 605 between thestore employee 602 and the customer 603. To provide for such a link 605,the retail employee 602 has access to, and uses, a software application(or “app”) 610 that executes the automated functionality describedherein for the retail employee 602, and the customer 603 has access to,and uses, an app 615 that executes the automated functionality describedherein for the customer 603. The communication link 605 itself can beprovided in different ways at different times and/or when the customer603 is in different locations, as discussed in greater detail below.

The retailer or store app 610 preferably is implemented on each of oneor more device(s) 72 (e.g., tablet computers, smart phones, laptops orother computers) within the retailer's store(s), showroom(s) or otherphysical location(s). Typically, one or more store employees 602 haveaccess to such device(s) 72 for use in their interactions with variouscustomers 603. Each such store app 610 preferably is configured tocommunicate (e.g., over a local area network, a wide area network and/orthe Internet) with a central server 612, which updates the store apps610 and provides access to shared customer and/or other retailinformation, e.g., as described in greater detail below. In addition, orinstead, in certain embodiments store app 610 is implemented on thestore employee 602's dedicated smartphone or other device, e.g., so thatthe store employee 602 can have access to store app 610 (and, thus, theability to communicate with her various customers) when she is notphysically within the store 601.

For larger retailers, or individual retailers affiliated with a networkof other (e.g., independent) retailers, the use of a central server 612often can provide for the efficient sharing of resources acrossdifferent individual physical locations. However, as also discussed ingreater detail below, the extent of such sharing typically depends uponhow closely affiliated with each other the individual physical locationsare. For example, when the different physical locations are owned orfranchised by the same retailer, all product and customer informationpreferably is shared across all such stores, potentially subject torestrictions to safeguard the customers' privacy. However, for storesthat are independent from each other, preferably only the productinformation is shared except to the extent that there is acommission-sharing agreement among some of such independent stores.

Often, a single retailer with many different stores (owned and/orfranchised) will obtain significant benefits from a system 600 becausethe goodwill generated from using system 600 can then accrue entirely toa single entity. However, it is noted that a variety of differentarrangements can be accommodated, in terms of sharing resources, using asystem 600 according to the present invention. For instance: (a) just asubset of the franchisees for a given retailer (e.g., those in onegeographic area); and/or (b) franchisees from different (e.g.,competing) retailers may agree to share resources using system 600, tothe extent mutually acceptable. Although the present discussion mainlyrefers to a “retailer”, it should be understood that, whenever usedherein, the term “retailer” can be replaced with a reference to anyconceivable network of cooperating stores or other businesses or typesof entities.

In certain embodiments, the store app 610 communicates directly withcentral server 612. In others, it communicates with central server 612through an optional in-store server 613, which (if provided) preferablyhandles much or all of the store-specific processing described below,thereby easing some of the processing and communications burdens oncentral server 612.

The customer app 615 typically is implemented on the customer 603'ssmart phone 20 (which generally is assumed in the present disclosure),but might instead be implemented on any other device used by thecustomer 603 (so references to smart phone 20 herein may be replaced byreferences to any other, preferably mobile, device). Preferably, thecustomer 603 owns the device 20 that is used, so that communications canoccur, if desired, even after the customer 603 leaves the store 601. Thecommunication link 605 between the customer 603's device 20 and thestore employee 602's device 72 preferably uses the Internet, once again,so that communications can continue after the customer 603 leaves thestore 601. However, it should be noted that link 605 can also, orinstead, use Wi-Fi, Li-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or any other wirelesscommunication and/or networking technique or protocol. In some casesdifferent communications protocols and/or networks are used when thecustomer 603 is in different locations.

As a result of the communication link 605, while the customer 603 is inthe retailer's store 601, he or she is able to communicate with thestore employee 602, not just face-to-face, but also by receiving contentand other information from, or under the control of, the store employee602's device 72, e.g., as discussed herein. In addition, in the courseof their communications, one or more additional remote consultants 607(often, but not limited to, representatives of manufacturers orsuppliers of products that the customer 603 is considering purchasing),communicating through corresponding servers 617, can be brought into theconversation, in order to provide additional expertise.

Still further, because of the unique configuration of system 600, itfrequently is possible for the customer 603 to review previouslytransferred information (e.g., received through the customer app 615while the customer 603 was in the store 601) after the fact (e.g., whilethe customer 603 is at home and still considering a potential purchase).Similarly, in the preferred embodiments, the customer 603 also has theability to reconnect with the store employee 602 and/or any of theconsultants 607 (e.g., manufacturer, supplier or distributorrepresentatives) with whom he or she previously communicated, after thecustomer 603 leaves the store 601. In short, system 600 often canenhance and extend a customer 603's overall shopping and/or purchasingexperience by permitting access to additional information andconsultants, both in-store and otherwise.

FIG. 24 shows customer device 20 as configured by the customer app 615,resulting in configured customer device 620. A processor 622 executesthe software (or process steps) of the customer app 615. The main outputof the customer app 615 preferably is through a display screen 625,which is driven by display interface 626 (e.g., to provide a graphicaluser interface, or GUI, for providing information to the user and,typically, for allowing the user to interact with such GUI in order toprovide user input). However, the device 620's output also (or instead)can include audio, tactile or any other kind of output. In the currentembodiment, the main form of user input 627 also is through displayscreen 625 which, in the current embodiment, is a touchscreen. However,the user input interface 627 also (or instead) can include a physicalkeyboard, touchpad, trackball, microphone (for inputting voice commandsor other information via speech), camera (for detecting user gesturesand/or expressions), wearable sensor, and/or any other kind of inputdevice, whether physically connected to the customer device 620 orconnected via a wireless link (such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi or Li-Fi).

Processor 622 preferably also creates, accesses and/or at leastpartially maintains a database 630 of session information and a database635 of information pertaining to the user 603's activity, as discussedin greater detail below. Although shown as separate databases, databases630 and 635 may in fact be linked to each other or even combined into asingle database, as will readily be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art, particularly in view of the following discussion.Also, depending upon the specific embodiment: databases 630 and 635 arestored locally within device 620; databases 630 and 635 are onlymaintained within server 612 and accessed and/or updated on an as-neededbasis by device 620; or a hybrid approach is adopted, e.g., in which thelocal and server databases are synched with each other, or in whichtemporary local copies of relevant information are created within device620 by copying such information from the main databases 630 and 635which are located within server 612. In other words, such databases 630and 635 can be entirely remote from configured customer device 620,entirely local within device 620 itself, or any hybrid approach (e.g.,synched with corresponding databases in server 612, or with informationfor a particular session downloaded into the device 620 while thatsession is active, modified during such session, and then the updatedinformation uploaded to central server 612 and purged from the localdevice 620 after the session has ended).

Processor 622 uses communication interface(s) 640 for communicating withother (external) devices, e.g., in any of the ways described herein.Typically, communication interface(s) 640 mainly will include wirelessinterfaces for communicating through any of a variety of differentwireless networks and/or protocols. However, in some cases, interface(s)640 also will include one or more interfaces for communicating throughhardwired networks and/or systems (e.g., ethernet or a landline phonesystem).

In the preferred embodiments, session information database 630 includesone or more records, each corresponding to a session that has beenconducted between the customer 603 and an employee of the retailer(potentially different employees for different sessions). Morepreferably, each such session record includes: (a) a unique sessionidentifier (ID); (b) an identification code for the store employee 602who participated in the session (referred to herein as the employee ID677); and (c) a code or other information identifying the particularproduct, type of product or need of the customer 603 (each of theforegoing referred to herein as the session “topic” and thecorresponding code being referred to herein as the topic ID) that is thesubject of the session.

While the first two items often are specified upon creation of therecord, the topic might be added into the session record later, e.g.,after the store employee 602 begins to understand the interests and/orneeds of the customer 603. In the preferred embodiments, a session canbe opened (and its corresponding record created) without a topic ID, butcannot be thereafter closed until a topic ID has been specified andincluded within its record. For purposes of assigning a topic ID, any ofthe product or category names used in the hierarchical arrangement ofproduct information in database 673 (discussed below) preferably can beused. Also, once a session has been created, other information may beadded into the corresponding record over time, as also discussed ingreater detail below.

Activity information database 635 preferably includes informationregarding the customer 603's online activity. More preferably, suchinformation is limited to online activity that is not related to anexisting session (i.e., one for which a record is present in database630). The activity information database 635 is described in more detailbelow in connection with the description of the Session-IndependentOnline Activity Monitoring process.

Upon initial installation of the customer app 615, a registrationprocess preferably is automatically initiated (e.g., similar oridentical to conventional registration processes), in which the customer603 is assigned a unique customer ID 642. Alternatively, if the customer603 previously has installed the app 615 (e.g., on a different device),the customer 603 can sign into the existing account, in which case, inthe preferred embodiments: the unique customer ID 642 previouslyassigned also is associated with any activities and/or communicationsperformed through the app 615 on the present device 620, and thedatabases 630 and 635 used by the app 615 are shared (e.g., by synchingor by accessing the same online databases) across all devices using thesame unique customer ID 642. It also should be understood that theforegoing registration process, while preferred because it allows use ofa single unique customer ID 642 across multiple devices, can be omittedin alternate embodiments of the invention. Instead, in such embodiments,installation of the customer app 615 preferably results in automatic(e.g., random or pseudorandom) assignment of a unique customer ID 642,so that activities, interactions and the like can be tracked withrespect to the customer 603 at least across that one particular device620.

When a store's device 72 is configured with the store app 610, resultingin what is referred to herein as configured store device 672, a somewhatsimilar configuration results, as shown in FIG. 25. However, thedatabases used by configured store device 672 are different than thoseused by configured customer device 620, and the processes performed byconfigured store processor 674 are different than those performed byconfigured customer processor 622. As to the former, configured storedevice 672 contributes to, at least partially maintains, and accesses aproduct information database 673 and a database 675 of customerinformation. Distinctions between the store processes and the customerprocesses are discussed below.

As indicated, each of the configured customer device 620 and theconfigured store device 672 includes one or more communicationinterfaces 640. All communications described is occurring between suchdevices, or between the corresponding apps 615 and 610, and all otherexternal communications involving any one of the foregoing devices orapps preferably occurs via the corresponding communication interface(s)640.

Unlike the customer app 615, the store app 610 typically will beconfigured to operate within a larger network of similar or identicalcooperating apps 610. This structure can allow a customer 603 to have amore consistent experience when dealing with different employees of aretailer, even different employees located at different ones of theretailer's stores. To permit such cooperation, in the preferredembodiments, databases 673 and 675 primarily are only maintained withinserver 612, e.g., with the corresponding information accessed on anas-needed basis by any given device 672. However, in other embodiments,any other structure for implementing such databases 673 and 675 insteadmay be used (such as any of the structures discussed above in relationto databases 630 and 635).

The product information database 673 preferably includes a hierarchicalarrangement of product information records, with each such recordincluding information about a particular product, and with all suchrecords arranged by category, subcategory, etc. All such informationpreferably is indexed for easy access and cross-referencing. Inaddition, each product record preferably includes one or moreindications (which may be implemented as a reference to an inventorydatabase) as to: (a) whether the subject product is in stock at eachgiven store, (b) whether the product is carried by the retailer at all,and in some embodiments (c) if not, where it can be obtained.

Customer information database 675 preferably includes the sessionrecords for all of its customers (e.g., the session information recordsfrom the databases 630 of all of its customers), but with each suchsession record also supplemented with the customer ID 642 for thecustomer 603 to which it pertains. In addition, the store employee 602preferably can add additional information (e.g., notes or other types ofcontent) to any given session record during the course of thecorresponding session (or afterward), e.g., regarding the customer 603'sneeds and/or preferences with respect to the subject topic, e.g., asdiscussed in greater detail below. In addition, customer informationdatabase 675 preferably includes a general record for each customer 603,including information regarding the customer 603 that is not tied to anyparticular session or topic, such as the customer's occupation, generalinterests, family information, education, demographics, etc. See e.g.,the description of the Customer Information Annotation process below.

Although, as noted above, a configured store device 672 can be dedicatedto an individual employee 602 for use outside of the store 601, most ofthe store devices 672 typically will be shared among differentemployees. Accordingly, when a particular employee 602 begins her shift,she preferably logs into her own account, with her unique employee ID677, on the device 672, so that all activity on such device 672, fromthat point forward, will be associated with her employee ID 677. At theend of her shift, the store employee 602 preferably logs off, so thatthe device 672 is ready for the next employee to login.

Each of the store app 610 and the customer app 615 preferably iscomprised of a number of largely independent event-triggered processes.Examples of such processes are discussed below. For each, following thename of the process, a letter in parentheses indicates whether theprocess exists on, and therefore can be executed by, the customer device620 (C), the employee's device 672 (E) or both (B). For any process thatcan be executed by either device 620 or 672, there typically aredifferences in the processing performed, depending upon whether it isexecuted on the customer device 620 or the employee's device 672, e.g.,as described in greater detail below. Also, it is noted that certainprocesses are described in subparagraphs, beneath other processes withwhich they often will be associated, or otherwise are described inconnection with other processes. However, neither that structure noranything else is intended to be limiting. Instead, any or all of thefollowing processes generally can be used independently or incombination with any other of such processes.

(a) In-Store Registration (C): In the preferred embodiments, thisprocess is instantiated when the customer app 615 is, and thenperiodically thereafter. When active, it attempts, through one of itscommunication interfaces 640, to find a wireless system (e.g., Li-Fi,Wi-Fi or other wireless network), corresponding to the retailer thatprovided the app 615, with which to communicate. Upon finding such awireless system, the app registers with the store's server (e.g.,central server 612 or local in-store server 613). As a result, thepresence of the customer 603 within the store 601 is established. Inaddition, in certain embodiments an even-more-precise location of thecustomer 603 within the store 601 also is established (e.g., using oneof the Li-Fi techniques described herein, using a similar Wi-Fitechnique or using an indoor GPS technique). In response to thedetection of the customer 603, the subject server 612 or 613 preferablysupplements a list of all currently registered customers within thestore 601 with the customer ID 642 for the newly registered customer603. Depending upon the particular embodiment, such information can beimmediately provided to all of the devices 672 within the store 601, sothat each such device 672 maintains the list, and/or can simply be madeavailable to such devices 672, e.g., with only the server 612 or 613maintaining the list. In addition, in certain embodiments in whichmore-precise locations for the registered customers within the store 601are determined, such locations preferably also are included within andupdated over time into the list, e.g., so that a map of the locations ofall registered customers currently in the store 601 can be generatedwhen desired.

(b) Customer Information Review and Retrieval (E): In this process, theconfigured store device 672 displays, among other things, the currentlyregistered customer information obtained by the server 612 or 613through the various customers' In-Store Registration processes. If thespecific locations of such customers have been obtained, then icons orother indicators for such customers preferably are indicated on a storemap shown on the display 625 of the store device 672, so that the storeemployee 602 can simply select the desired indicator to bring up thesubject customer 603's information. Alternatively, a list showing suchcustomers' names preferably is presented and, upon engaging in aconversation with a customer 603, the store employee 602 learns the nameof such customer 603 and selects that name from within list in order tobring up such customer 603's information. In either case, suchinformation displayed than the employee device 672 preferably isretrieved from customer information database 675 and includes thegeneral information pertaining to the customer 603 and any sessions(preferably identified by topic) in which the customer 603 previouslyparticipated.

(c) In-Store Session Initiation (B): This process typically is initiatedafter a customer 603 has registered within a store 601, using theIn-Store Registration process, and has begun a conversation with a storeemployee 602. The request to initiate a session preferably can be madeby either the customer 603 or the store employee 602, and then, e.g.,upon acceptance of the request by the other (through their respectiveuser input interfaces 627), the session is initiated. At this point,customer app 615 preferably creates a new record for the session in itssession information database 630, including within it: a session ID(e.g., assigned by the store app 610, the central server 612 or someother store-affiliated app or entity) and the employee ID 677 (e.g.,both transmitted from the store's device 672 to the customer's device620 via their communication interfaces 640). Similarly, initiation ofthe new session preferably causes the store app 610 to create a newrecord within its customer information database 675, including within itthe customer ID 642 (e.g., transmitted from the customer's device 620 tothe store's device 672 via their communication interfaces 640) and thegenerated session ID. In the preferred embodiments, the initiation of asession according to the present process is performed by, or at leastunder the control of, the store employee 602. In any event, prior tostarting a new session, a list of the existing sessions preferably isdisplayed in order to allow the individual to assess whether an existingsession should be resumed, rather than starting an entirely new one. Ifthe employee 60 or customer 603, as applicable, designates a listed theexisting session, then the In-Store Session Resumption process isinstantiated. Otherwise, the employee 60 or customer 603 confirmed thata new session is in fact to be started, and the corresponding new recordcreated within each of database 630 and 675. Once open, the sessionpreferably then remains open (e.g., with a persistent communication linkbetween the two devices 620 and 672, e.g., permitting additionalinformation to be populated into each's session record) until thesession is closed by either the store employee 602 or the customer 603(e.g., by clicking on a “Close Session” button on the subject user'sinput interface 627).

-   -   i. Store Employee Data Retrieval (E): In the course of talking        to the customer 603, the store employee 602 might decide to        retrieve additional information related to the topic that they        are discussing. For this purpose, product information database        673 preferably is both field and natural-language searchable,        the former, e.g., permitting the store employee 602 to search by        specific product, product type, product characteristics (e.g.,        manufacturer and/or features) and/or related or similar        products. In addition, database 673 preferably is arranged        hierarchically, e.g., allowing the store employee 602 to drill        down on any desired information, broaden out to review        related-product records, or review records of other products in        the same category as the one currently being discussed. The        results from such searching and/or browsing may be used to aid        the store employee 602 in her conversation with the customer 603        or may be provided to the customer 603 for subsequent        consideration (as discussed below).    -   ii. Store-To-Customer Data Transfer (E): Upon retrieval of        information using the Store Employee Data Retrieval process,        discussed above, user interface 627 on device 672 preferably        permits the store employee 602 to designate any information        record, in whole or in part to be transmitted to the customer        603's device 620. More preferably, the store employee 602 simply        clicks a “Send” button on her user interface 627 in order to        transmit the entire page or record she currently is viewing.        Alternatively, the store employee 602 first selects just a        desired portion of a page or record and then clicks a “Send”,        resulting in the transmission of that portion along with the        page's header, footer and/or other identifying information, in        order to provide context for the selection that is being sent.        In the preferred embodiments, an indication is stored into the        session record within customer information database 675 that the        subject information was sent to the customer 603, thereby        helping the store employee 602 to maintain a more-complete        record of the session.    -   iii. Customer Data Receipt (C): Upon receipt of information        transmitted via the Store-To-Customer Data Transfer process, the        customer's device 620 preferably immediately displays such        information and, either automatically or upon designation by the        customer 603, also saves it into the current session record in        the device 620's session information database 630 (e.g., for the        customer 603 to review later). As to the current display of such        information, the customer's user interface 627 preferably        includes display elements that may be selected: to clear such        information display for the time being, or to at least        temporarily navigate away from such displayed information (e.g.,        allowing the customer 603 to return to other information he had        been reviewing or to navigate to a homepage or main menu).    -   iv. Conference Call (B): In some cases (such as where the        product information 673 is insufficient in some particular        respect), it might be desirable for the store employee 602 and        the customer 603 to bring one or more additional people into        their conversation (e.g., someone with additional expertise).        Accordingly, both of devices 620 and 672 preferably include the        present process for initiating and/or conducting a conference        call with an outside expert or other individual 607. In the        preferred embodiments, at least when an active communication        link already exists between the customer's device 620 and the        store employee's device 672, the store app 610 controls how and        when such conference calls are established. In this regard,        along with static product information, product information        database 673 preferably also includes associated links to the        consultant servers 617, so that an appropriate consultant 607        can be contacted when additional information is desired. For        example, information regarding a particular product preferably        is supplemented with the link to a helpline for the manufacturer        or supplier of that product. General product category        information preferably is supplemented with a link to a        centralized helpline (e.g., associated with the corporate        offices of a large retailer or associated with a third-party        consulting or advisory service), having access to consultants        with specialized knowledge regarding that product category. In        any event, when the corresponding server 617 is reached, that        server 617 preferably selects and completes the communication        link with the appropriate individual 607. Thereafter, all of the        parties can communicate with each other via their individual        devices, using audio only or both audio and video, depending        upon the embodiment and/or the selections made when establishing        the call, similar to a Skype™ or FaceTime™ call. In this        particular (i.e., in-store) scenario, the Conference Call        process on device 620 preferably mainly enables the customer 603        to participate in the call, with the store employee 602        preferably assuming primary responsibility for initiating the        call. In the course of such call, the participating consultant        607 preferably has access to an app for sending information to        the customer's device 620, similar to the Store-To-Customer Data        Transfer process discussed above. Upon receipt, the customer's        device 620 preferably executes the Customer Data Receipt (or        similar) process, discussed above. In certain embodiments, a        recording (audio and/or video) of the call is stored into the        session record in the session information database 630 and/or        the customer information database 675, allowing it to be played        back later, if desired.    -   v. Customer Information Annotation (E): During the course of a        session, or even afterward, the store employee 602 can        instantiate this process through her user input interface 627 to        insert information related to that particular session (e.g.,        notes regarding the customer's preferences and/or needs in        relation to the session's topic) into the session record, or to        insert information related to the customer 603 generally (e.g.,        notes pertaining to the customer 603 himself) into the customer        record, both in the customer information database 675. In the        preferred embodiments, upon instantiation, a document is opened        for this purpose. Such a document can include, e.g., space for        free-form notes to be entered and/or pre-specified fields,        checkboxes or selecting among presented options, sliders for        providing ratings within a specified scale, and/or other        user-input elements for inputting information in structured or        unstructured ways.    -   vi. Request for In-Store Assistance (C): This process is        activated in response to the customer 603 selecting a        corresponding user interface element (e.g., button). It        immediately sends a message to server 612 or 613 requesting        assistance from an employee. If activated while a session is        open, it preferably identifies the session ID and/or the store        employee 602 who previously provided the customer 603 with        assistance. In either event, it preferably also includes the        location of the customer 603 and/or the customer ID 642 (which,        e.g., can be used to determine the location of the customer 603        and/or his interests, thus helping the retailer identify the        best employee to assist the customer 603).

(d) In-Store Session Resumption (B): Similar to the In-Store SessionInitiation process, this process preferably can be initiated by eitherthe store employee 602 or the customer 603, but more preferably, isinitiated by the In-Store Session Initiation process, or at least underthe control of, the store employee 602. Upon instantiation, unlessalready displayed by, the display interface 626 preferably provides alist of sessions in which the customer 603 previously has participated.Upon selecting one, a “Resume Session” display interface elementpreferably also is displayed by display interface 626, and then uponselecting the “Resume Session” display interface element (e.g., by thestore employee after a preliminary discussion with the customer 603 andlearning that the customer 603 wants to discuss the topic of suchprevious session), that session is reinitiated.

(e) Subsequent Information Review (C): This process permits the customer603 to review information pertaining to a session after the session hasended (e.g., after the customer 603 leaves the store). Uponinstantiation, the processor 622 of device 620 first retrievesinformation from database 630 regarding the previous sessions and then,through display interface 626, causes the display 625 to display a listof such sessions (e.g., identified by their respective topics).Preferably, each such entry functions as a link, allowing the user 603to select any one of them. Upon doing so, all the information from thatsession is available for review. The following process, SubsequentSession Resumption, concerns one technique for resuming a previoussession. Alternatively, for any of the purposes discussed herein, asession might be considered resumed (e.g., active again) for the timeperiod that the customer 603 has opened the information for that sessionusing the present process.

(f) Subsequent Session Resumption (C): Preferably included within theinformation that is available through the Subsequent Information Reviewprocess for each session are links to the store employee 602 and anyconsultant(s) 607 with which the customer 603 previously communicated inconnection with such session. More specifically, in the preferredembodiments, the link to the store employee 602 links to central server612 or to store-specific server 613 and includes an embedded identifierof the particular store employee 602 (e.g., the employee ID 677) and/orthe session (e.g., the assigned session ID). Accordingly, if thespecific employee 602 is not currently available, the subject server canuse such information to identify another employee who is available andis likely to be helpful (e.g., someone with the same product expertise).Still further, in certain embodiments, in connection with such a link,the displayed user interface includes an element that the customer 603can select to request a different store employee than the employee 602who previously assisted him, even if that employee 602 currently isavailable. Such an option can allow the customer 603 to avoid anemployee 602 with whom he previously had an unpleasant experience. Inaddition, data on the number of customers who choose that option withrespect to a given employee 602 can then be used in evaluating theperformance of such employee 602. Similarly, any link to a specificconsultant 607 preferably links to the corresponding consultant server617 and includes an embedded identifier of the particular consultant 607and/or the session (e.g., the assigned session ID), so that if thespecific consultant 607 is not currently available, the server 617 canuse such information to identify another consultant 607 who is availableand is likely to be helpful (e.g., someone with the same productexpertise). As with the employee link, and for the same reasons, anoption preferably also is provided allowing the customer 603 to requesta different individual. Once a particular individual is identified, thecustomer app 615 and the corresponding server coordinate to establish areal-time communication link. Thereafter, the session is resumed and allthe considerations discussed above in connection with an active sessionapply again. For example, the communications and/or any content that istransferred to the customer app 615 preferably are stored in the sessioninformation database 630 within the corresponding session record, e.g.,using any of the other automated processes discussed herein.

-   -   i. Session-Related Online Activity Monitoring (C): In the        current embodiment, the customer app 615 includes the present        process for monitoring online activity 618 of the customer 603.        In certain embodiments, this process is embedded into a separate        Web browser that is included within the app 615 (e.g., an        entirely unique browser or a branded and/or customized version        of an existing browser). Alternatively, or in addition, the        present process exists separately and is used to monitor online        activity that occurs through the use of one or more separate        (e.g., conventional) Web browsers. For privacy purposes, the        customer 603 preferably has the ability to control such        monitoring through user input interface 627, at least with        respect to monitoring activity 618 when using external        browser(s) (e.g., where the customer 603 might not be aware that        information from his browsing might be saved in connection with        a session). However, such monitoring can be particularly useful        while a session is active and, therefore, preferably is, by        default, turned on at such times. On the assumption that any Web        browsing during such times is related to the active session, a        record of such browsing preferably is made and stored into the        session record within the session information database 630. For        example, customer app 615 might be configured (e.g., by the        customer 603 and/or by the retailer providing the app 615) to        keep a record of all the sites visited and/or the app 615 might        be structured to allow the customer 603, through user input        interface 627, to designate or select portions of the        information he is viewing to be saved (in which case, the        selected content preferably is saved along with a link to the        Webpage containing it and, even more preferably, to the specific        location within that Webpage, although in alternate embodiments        just the content or just the link is saved). In the preferred        embodiments, all information pertaining to the customer's online        activity 618 that has been saved is date-stamped, time-stamped,        indexed for subsequent searching, stored in the corresponding        session record within database 630, and also provided to the        Activity-Driven Messaging process, discussed below, for        immediate analysis. After the fact, the customer 603 and/or the        store employee 602 (e.g., during a subsequent follow-up call)        preferably can review and/or use automated tools to analyze such        information.    -   ii. Activity-Driven Messaging (B): This process uses the        information gathered during either or both of the        Session-Related Online Activity Monitoring and        Session-Independent Online Activity Monitoring processes        described herein (collectively referred to herein as the Online        Activity Monitoring processes) on an automated basis.        Preferably, the present process includes a number of different        predefined “triggers” and corresponding automated predefined        “actions” based on those triggers. In certain embodiments, the        main structure of the present process is hard-coded, and the        retailer is able to specify the triggers and actions using a        provided scripting language. As a result, the retailer is able        to fine tune the process, e.g., to maximize its marketing value.        In such embodiments, the hard-coded portion preferably analyzes        the data generated by such Online Activity Monitoring        process(es), identifying topics that the customer 603 appears to        be studying and/or considering and assigning an “interest” score        to each. For example, this portion of the process might assign a        score to any such item about which the customer has conducted        more than one search (or any other specified number of searches)        viewed more than one webpage (or any other specified number of        pages) and/or any combination of the foregoing criteria. The        “interest” score preferably is then calculated based on a        formulaic combination (e.g., a simple weighted average, with        weights determined experimentally to provide the best results,        from the point of view of the retailer) of: searches conducted,        pages viewed, time spent viewing such pages, related links        clicked within such pages and/or any other metrics that        potentially could be relevant to the customer 603's potential        interest in the product or product category. Also, rather than        first applying a threshold test, in some embodiments an        “interest” score is determined for all topics identified. In        certain embodiments, multiple interest scores are calculated for        each topic, with each measuring “interest” in a different way.        Then, actions are taken based on the topics identified and/or        the interest score(s) calculated for them (e.g., as specified by        the rules established by the retailer using the provided        scripting language). For example, based on a calculated interest        score for the corresponding topic exceeding a specified        threshold (or a set of interest scores exceeding corresponding        thresholds), the process might: display an ad offering a deal to        the customer 603; retrieve and display other content related to        the topic; display a message suggesting that the customer 603        contact the store employee 602 to discuss the item; and/or send        an automated message to the employee 602 and/or to the retailer        suggesting that they attempt to contact the customer 603 to        discuss the topic. These types of automated actions often can        help ensure that the retailer remains involved at important        points in the customer 603's purchasing decision-making. More        generally, the foregoing structure often can turn the current        trend, in which customers look at products in a brick-and-mortar        store and then purchase them online for a lower price, on its        head, e.g., by driving customers 603 from online activity back        to brick-and-mortar retailers. In other words, customer app 615        can allow the retailer, e.g., to match other online deals, offer        alternatives, offer in-store demos, offer complementary products        and/or services (all the foregoing either on an automated and/or        manual basis), track what the customer 603 purchases from other        sellers (thereafter, e.g., populating such information into the        customer information database 675), etc. The specific rules,        interest score formulas and other aspects of this process        preferably are adjusted to achieve the desired goals of the        retailer. As noted, in addition to (or instead of) providing        automated notifications to the customer 603, in some cases the        response action is an automated message to the store employee        602, or any other individual associated with the retailer,        suggesting that such individual contact the customer 603 (e.g.,        via a text-based message and/or by initiating an audio or video        call). Alternatively, or in addition, the customer 603's raw        browsing data are sent to the retailer and then stored in the        customer information database 675 and/or used by the retailer's        version of the present app in a similar manner to that described        above, but in this case the automated actions typically would be        to assist the store employee 602 and/or the retailer more        generally.    -   iii. Referral Identification (C): This process typically is        intended to be executed in connection with either or both of the        Online Activity Monitoring processes described herein, but        especially the Session-Related Online Activity Monitoring        process. The purpose of this process is to address a particular        free-rider problem that otherwise can occur. Specifically, in        the absence of this process, the customer 603 might consult with        the store employee 602, eventually identifying a product that        fully meets his needs, but then, rather than purchasing the        product from or through the retailer, shops and then eventually        purchases online in order to get the best possible price.        However, in such situations, no compensation is paid for all the        work performed by the store employee 602, even though such        effort most likely was at least a significant, if not the main,        factor in the customer 603's purchasing decision. To address        this problem, in the appropriate circumstances, the present        process provides, to a third-party entity that sells to the        customer 603, a retailer identification code (or retailer ID)        identifying the retailer who provided (or at least is associated        with) the customer app 615. More specifically, in the preferred        embodiments the customer app 615 (e.g., the present process or        one of the Online Activity Monitoring processes) monitors to        determine when the customer 603 is about to make an online        purchase from a site that includes an interface element for        accepting such a retailer ID. In the event of such a trigger,        the present app automatically provides its retailer ID to the        site (e.g., through one of its communication interfaces 640 or        any other of its network interface and in accordance with        preestablished protocols). Upon receipt of such retailer ID, the        selling entity, typically through pre-arranged terms, can        provide a commission to the retailer for which the store        employee 602 works. Preferably, the present app also creates and        preserves a record of the transaction and/or a record if a        particular site with which it has a pre-arranged commission        agreement does not in fact present an appropriate interface for        accepting the retailer ID, all with the goal of providing an        accounting from the retailer's side and thereby ensuring that        appropriate payments ultimately are made. In one embodiment, the        retailer ID is provided whenever the customer 603 makes a        purchase while a session is active or with respect to a topic        for which a session exists. In another embodiment, the retailer        ID is only provided when the customer 603 purchases an item that        had been recommended by that retailer or about which the        retailer has engaged in more than a predetermined amount of        communication with the customer 603 (e.g., each as indicated in        the session information database 630). In a still further        embodiment, a two-tier approach is employed, in which the        retailer ID is provided for all purchases, but an additional        code is provided when the customer 603 purchases an item that        had been specifically recommended by the retailer or about which        the retailer has engaged in more than a predetermined amount of        communication with the customer 603 (e.g., so that a higher        commission can be paid in such cases). In still further        embodiments, the present process, or the third-party online        seller's site upon been provided with the retailer ID, provides        a user interface asking the customer 603 to provide an        indication of how important the retailer was in the purchase,        with an additional code then provided to such third-party online        seller based on the response of the customer 603, and with the        amount of the commission then depending upon the customer 603's        response.

(g) Outside Session Initiation (C): In the preceding discussion, itgenerally is assumed that a session is initiated in-store and then canbe resumed later on, when convenient for the customer 603. However, insome cases it will be desirable for a customer 603 to initiate a sessionwith respect to a new item of interest outside of the store, possiblyeven with no intent of ever entering any physical location of theretailer that provided the customer app 615 in connection with thepotential purchasing decision. Instead, for many purposes, the customerapp 615 can be thought of as providing a centralized resource forpurchasing decisions, which can be used in-store and/or anywhere else.When the customer 603 designates a user interface element for initiatinga new session outside of the retailer's physical location, the presentapp is instantiated which, in the preferred embodiments, initiates thefollowing sequence: customer app 615 directly messages central server612 with an indication of the item that the customer 603 is consideringand, in response, server 612 provides a unique session ID and a link forcontacting an in-store employee 602 and/or a consultant 607 (e.g., afteridentifying such individual(s) using any of the expertise-basedselection techniques described herein, in reference to the identifieditem). Once the session is initiated, the customer 603, the storeemployee 602 and/or the retailer generally can execute any of theprocesses described herein with respect to an open or existing session.

(h) Session-Independent Online Activity Monitoring (C): In certainembodiments, this process is executed (e.g., if and to the extentspecified in the user settings) in order to monitor the customer'sonline activity 618 whenever a session is not currently active. Forexample, it can be used to identify when a purchase is about to be made,to determine whether that purchase pertains to any existing sessionwithin session information database 630, and then to instantiate theReferral Identification process if it is. This process preferably isvery similar or identical to the Session-Related Online ActivityMonitoring process, but rather than storing the monitoring informationwithin a session record within database 630, the present process storessuch information in activity information database 635. As a result, thepresent process can be used to identify and score topics that thecustomer 603 is searching and/or browsing that might be unrelated to anyexisting session. At the same time, the present process preferablyincludes steps to determine if each topic score satisfies a specifiedcriterion (e.g., exceeds a specified threshold), and upon reaching adetermination in the affirmative, the process first determines whetherthe topic matches one for a session for which a record already exists insession information database 630. If so, the process preferably querieswhether the customer would like to resume that session and, if thecustomer 603 responds affirmatively, instantiates the Subsequent SessionResumption process with respect to that session and stores thetopic-specific online activity information within the record for thatsession, e.g., in the manner described in the Session-Related OnlineActivity Monitoring process. On the other hand, if the topic's scoresatisfies the specified criterion but the topic does not match anexisting session, the present process preferably queries whether thecustomer would like to initiate a new session for such topic; then, ifthe customer 603 responds affirmatively, the process preferablyinstantiates the Outside Session Initiation process and stores thetopic-specific online activity information within the record for thatsession, e.g., in the manner described in the Session-Related OnlineActivity Monitoring process. Otherwise, if the specified criterion isnot satisfied with respect to the identified topic, the present processstores information regarding the customer 603's online browsing and/orsearching, in a manner similar to that described in the Session-RelatedOnline Activity Monitoring process, but instead of storing suchinformation in connection with a particular session, it is added intothe online activity database 635 (e.g., date and time stamped andindexed). It is noted that when examining topic scores for the purposeof querying a customer, as described above, the criterion can pertain,not only to present activity of the customer 603, but also to historicalactivity information previously stored within database 635 relating tosuch topic.

The foregoing processes sometimes send information to the customer'sdevice 620 regarding a particular product (such as information about theproduct, a coupon or other information about how to obtain a specifiedspecial-pricing deal). In such cases, the information preferablyincludes a link for the customer 603 to purchase that product. Uponclicking on such a link, the customer 603 preferably has a choice ofpicking up the product in-store that day (if currently available in thestore's inventory) or having it delivered to his home (or to anothercustomer-designated location, e.g., if intended as a gift). In addition,in certain embodiments the information also includes a link that thecustomer 603 can select to indicate a desire to see the product in thestore, e.g., if the customer 603 previously has not had an opportunityto experience the product in person. Upon clicking such link, a messagepreferably is automatically sent (e.g., via communication interface 640)to the retailer, which can then choose to make the product available forthe customer 603 (e.g., by having it the delivered to the store) andmessage the customer 603 (e.g., through this app) when it is ready. As aresult, the customer 603 has the opportunity to see and hold the productbefore deciding on whether or not to purchase it. From the retailer'sside, a monetary charge may be imposed for the service, which preferablyis then credited toward the purchase price if the customer 603ultimately decides to buy the product from the retailer.

When implementing a system 600, the physical location for a retaileroften can be configured differently than for conventional retaillocations. For instance, rather than a traditional retail establishment,having a large open space with lots of shelves to hold, display and makeaccessible to the customers a significant amount of the store'sinventory, a store 601 according to the present invention preferably isdivided into two sections. A smaller portion of the store 601 ispublicly accessible and functions as a showroom, e.g., stocking onlydisplay samples of the products in inventory. A second, much largerportion of the store 601 preferably is inaccessible to the customers andfunctions as a warehouse or stockroom, with products delivered to theshowroom, to a separate pickup desk, directly to the customer 603's car,or scheduled for shipment to the customer's home or other designatedlocation, only on an as-needed basis (e.g., when actually purchased orwhen the showroom requires an additional display sample). Such aconfiguration can be much more efficient at delivering products to thecustomer 603 (e.g., more amenable to employing robotic and/or otherkinds of automated systems), while at the same time significantlyreducing the area in which customers need to search for the productsthat interest them and allowing the showroom space to bebetter-configured to enhance the customer's shopping experience.

The foregoing embodiments mainly focus on the population of customerinformation database 675 with information provided directly to theretailer by the individual customer 603 or input by the store employee602 through her interactions with the customer 603. In fact, theinformation within database 675 may be generated in whole or in partbased on other actions or behavior of the customer 603 (i.e., notdirectly related to a conscious provision of information to the retaileror the retailer's employee 602). Examples include information generatedby in-store positioning or location-identifying systems (such as any ofthose described herein), cameras and other sensors, e.g., collecting andstoring information regarding: (a) how much time the customer 603 spendsin the particular location, aisle, or section of the store 601; (b) howmuch time the customer 603 is detected as looking at a particular itemor portion of a shelf; (c) whether and for how long the customer 603 isdetected to be holding a particular item; (d) how much time the customer603 spends interacting with particular store employees 602 (or theaggregate time spent interacting with all store employees); (e) what thecustomer 603 is detected to be wearing (e.g., type, shape, brand and/orcolor of clothing); (0 whether the customer 603 uses his phone or otherdevice while shopping in-store; (g) and/or any other customerinformation mentioned herein or otherwise.

Similarly, in certain embodiments, rather than the store employee 602specifying a session's topic, the topic is assigned automatically basedon detected information (e.g., any of the foregoing informationgenerated from any of the foregoing systems and/or sensors) regardingthe customer 603. In addition, in the preferred embodiments, thecustomer 603 also directly provides additional information to theretailer through the user input interface 627 of device 620, e.g., byresponding to questions submitted by the retailer (e.g., questions sentautomatically by the retailer in response to a triggering communication,action or behavior of the customer 603).

All the foregoing information, in turn, preferably is then processed byprocessor 674 to provide summary information and/or characterizationsregarding the customer 603, e.g., using conventional and/orfuture-developed techniques, for use by the store employees and/orautomated algorithms.

System Environment.

Generally speaking, except where clearly indicated otherwise, all of thesystems, methods, functionality and techniques described herein can bepracticed with the use of one or more programmable general-purposecomputing devices. Such devices (e.g., including any of the electronicdevices mentioned herein) typically will include, for example, at leastsome of the following components coupled to each other, e.g., via acommon bus: (a) one or more central processing units (CPUs); (b)read-only memory (ROM); (c) random access memory (RAM); (d) input/outputsoftware and circuitry for interfacing with other devices (e.g., using ahardwired connection, such as a serial port, a parallel port, a USBconnection or a FireWire connection, or using a wireless protocol, suchas radio-frequency identification (RFID), any other near-fieldcommunication (NFC) protocol, Bluetooth or a 802.11 protocol); (e)software and circuitry for connecting to one or more networks, e.g.,using a hardwired connection such as an Ethernet card or a wirelessprotocol, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), global systemfor mobile communications (GSM), Bluetooth, a 802.11 protocol, or anyother cellular-based or non-cellular-based system, which networks, inturn, in many embodiments of the invention, connect to the Internet orto any other networks; (f) a display (such as a liquid crystal display,an organic light-emitting display, a polymeric light-emitting display orany other thin-film display); (g) other output devices (such as one ormore speakers, a headphone set and/or a printer); (h) one or more inputdevices (such as a mouse, touchpad, tablet, touch-sensitive display orother pointing device, a keyboard, a keypad, a microphone and/or ascanner); (i) a mass storage unit (such as a hard disk drive, asolid-state drive, or any other type of internal storage device); (j) areal-time clock; (k) a removable storage read/write device (such as aflash drive, a memory card, any other portable drive that utilizessemiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, an opto-magneticdisk, an optical disk, or the like); and/or (1) a modem (e.g., forsending faxes or for connecting to the Internet or to any other computernetwork). In operation, the process steps to implement the above methodsand functionality, to the extent performed by such a general-purposecomputing device, typically initially are stored in mass storage (e.g.,a hard disk or solid-state drive), are downloaded into RAM, and then areexecuted by the CPU out of RAM. However, in some cases the process stepsinitially are stored in RAM or ROM and/or are directly executed out ofmass storage.

Suitable general-purpose programmable devices for use in implementingthe present invention may be obtained from various vendors. In thevarious embodiments, different types of devices are used depending uponthe size and complexity of the tasks. Such devices can include, e.g.,mainframe computers, multiprocessor computers, one or more server boxes,workstations, personal (e.g., desktop, laptop, tablet or slate)computers and/or smaller computing devices, such as personal digitalassistants (PDAs), wireless telephones (e.g., smartphones) or any otherprogrammable appliance or device, whether stand-alone, hard-wired into anetwork or wirelessly connected to a network.

In addition, although general-purpose programmable devices have beendescribed above, in alternate embodiments one or more special-purposeprocessors or computers instead (or in addition) are used. In general,it should be noted that, except as expressly noted otherwise, any of thefunctionality described above can be implemented by a general-purposeprocessor executing software and/or firmware, by dedicated (e.g.,logic-based) hardware, or any combination of these approaches, with theparticular implementation being selected based on known engineeringtradeoffs. More specifically, where any process and/or functionalitydescribed above is implemented in a fixed, predetermined and/or logicalmanner, it can be accomplished by a processor executing programming(e.g., software or firmware), an appropriate arrangement of logiccomponents (hardware), or any combination of the two, as will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art. In other words, it iswell-understood how to convert logical and/or arithmetic operations intoinstructions for performing such operations within a processor and/orinto logic gate configurations for performing such operations; in fact,compilers typically are available for both kinds of conversions.

It should be understood that the present invention also relates tomachine-readable tangible (or non-transitory) media on which are storedsoftware or firmware program instructions (i.e., computer-executableprocess instructions) for performing the methods and functionality ofthis invention. Such media include, by way of example, magnetic disks,magnetic tape, optically readable media such as CDs and DVDs, orsemiconductor memory such as various types of memory cards, USB flashmemory devices, solid-state drives, etc. In each case, the medium maytake the form of a portable item such as a miniature disk drive or asmall disk, diskette, cassette, cartridge, card, stick etc., or it maytake the form of a relatively larger or less-mobile item such as a harddisk drive, ROM or RAM provided in a computer or other device. As usedherein, unless clearly noted otherwise, references tocomputer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable ormachine-readable medium are intended to encompass situations in whichsuch process steps are stored on a single medium, as well as situationsin which such process steps are stored across multiple media.

The foregoing description primarily emphasizes electronic computers anddevices. However, it should be understood that any other computing orother type of device instead may be used, such as a device utilizing anycombination of electronic, optical, biological and chemical processingthat is capable of performing basic logical and/or arithmeticoperations.

In addition, where the present disclosure refers to a processor,computer, server, server device, computer-readable medium or otherstorage device, client device, or any other kind of apparatus or device,such references should be understood as encompassing the use of pluralsuch processors, computers, servers, server devices, computer-readablemedia or other storage devices, client devices, or any other suchapparatuses or devices, except to the extent clearly indicatedotherwise. For instance, a server generally can (and often will) beimplemented using a single device or a cluster of server devices (eitherlocal or geographically dispersed), e.g., with appropriate loadbalancing. Similarly, a server device and a client device often willcooperate in executing the process steps of a complete method, e.g.,with each such device having its own storage device(s) storing a portionof such process steps and its own processor(s) executing those processsteps.

As used herein, the term “coupled”, or any other form of the word, isintended to mean either directly connected or connected through one ormore other elements or processing blocks.

Additional Considerations.

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the disclosureexplicitly set forth herein or in the attached drawings, on the onehand, and any materials incorporated by reference herein, on the other,the present disclosure shall take precedence. In the event of anyconflict or inconsistency between the disclosures of any applications orpatents incorporated by reference herein, the more recently fileddisclosure shall take precedence.

For purposes of the present disclosure, any explicit or implicitreference to any data items being included within the same databaserecord means that such data items are linked together or logicallyassociated with each other.

In certain instances, the foregoing description refers to clicking ordouble-clicking on user-interface buttons (typically in reference todesktop computers or laptops), touching icons (typically in reference todevices with touchscreens), dragging user-interface items, or otherwiseentering commands or information via a particular user-interface elementor mechanism and/or in a particular manner. All of such references areintended to be exemplary only, it being understood that each suchreference, as well as each other aspect of the present invention as awhole, encompasses entry of commands or information by a user in any ofthe ways mentioned herein or in any other known manner, using the sameor any other user-interface mechanism, with different entry methods anddifferent user-interface elements being most appropriate for differenttypes of devices and/or in different situations. In addition, orinstead, any and all references to inputting commands or informationshould be understood to encompass input by an automated (e.g.,computer-executed) process.

In the above discussion, certain methods are explained by breaking themdown into steps listed in a particular order. However, it should benoted that in each such case, except to the extent clearly indicated tothe contrary or mandated by practical considerations (such as where theresults from one step are necessary to perform another), the indicatedorder is not critical but, instead, that the described steps can bereordered and/or two or more of such steps can be performedconcurrently.

References herein to a “criterion”, “multiple criteria”, “condition”,“conditions” or similar words which are intended to trigger, limit,filter or otherwise affect processing steps, other actions, the subjectsof processing steps or actions, or any other activity or data, areintended to mean “one or more”, irrespective of whether the singular orthe plural form has been used. For instance, any criterion or conditioncan include any combination (e.g., Boolean combination) of actions,events and/or occurrences (i.e., a multi-part criterion or condition).

Similarly, in the discussion above, functionality sometimes is ascribedto a particular module or component. However, functionality generallymay be redistributed as desired among any different modules orcomponents, in some cases completely obviating the need for a particularcomponent or module and/or requiring the addition of new components ormodules. The precise distribution of functionality preferably is madeaccording to known engineering tradeoffs, with reference to the specificembodiment of the invention, as will be understood by those skilled inthe art.

In the discussions above, the words “include”, “includes”, “including”,and all other forms of the word should not be understood as limiting,but rather any specific items following such words should be understoodas being merely exemplary.

Several different embodiments of the present invention are describedabove, with each such embodiment described as including certainfeatures. However, it is intended that the features described inconnection with the discussion of any single embodiment are not limitedto that embodiment but may be included and/or arranged in variouscombinations in any of the other embodiments as well, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art.

Thus, although the present invention has been described in detail withregard to the exemplary embodiments thereof and accompanying drawings,it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousadaptations and modifications of the present invention may beaccomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the preciseembodiments shown in the drawings and described above. Rather, it isintended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of theinvention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely bythe claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A messaging system, comprising: a plurality ofmessaging units disposed in different locations within a commercialspace, each of said messaging units including a light-emitting diode(LED); a messaging/modulation controller coupled to the LED andconfigured to turn the LED on and off so as to broadcast a digitalmessage as a binary-encoded digital signal corresponding to on/offstates of the LED; and a user interface that permits a user to createschedules that specify how and when specified messages are to bebroadcast by said messaging units, coupled to the messaging/modulationcontroller, wherein different ones of said messaging units areconfigured to broadcast different digital messages, includingsubstantive content that is different from what is broadcast by otherones of the messaging units, in accordance with the schedules inputthrough the user interface.
 2. A messaging system according to claim 1,wherein the messaging/modulation controller is programmed to cause thedigital message for a corresponding messaging unit to be repeatedlybroadcast.
 3. A messaging system according to claim 1, wherein each of aplurality of said messaging units also includes a wireless receiverthrough which it receives updates to its corresponding digital message.4. A messaging system according to claim 1, wherein the digital messagebroadcast by at least one of the messaging units guides a recipient to adifferent location within the commercial space.
 5. A messaging systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the digital messages for a plurality ofsaid messaging units are coordinated such that the recipient issuccessively guided to at least 3 different locations within thecommercial space.
 6. A messaging system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a user device that includes a sensor for receiving lightemitted by the LED of a nearby one of the messaging units, and whereinsaid user device is configured to decode the corresponding digitalmessage and at least one of visually show said corresponding digitalmessage or audibly play said corresponding digital message.
 7. Amessaging system according to claim 6, wherein said user device furtherincludes a light source and is also configured to broadcast a messagevia said light source, and wherein said nearby one of the messagingunits also includes a sensor for detecting light from said light sourceand is also configured to decode said message.
 8. A messaging systemaccording to claim 6, wherein said user device further includes awireless interface and is also configured to broadcast a message to saidsystem via said wireless interface and a publicly accessible network. 9.A messaging system according to claim 1, wherein said commercial spacecomprises exactly one retail establishment.
 10. A messaging systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said commercial space comprises aplurality of independently managed retail establishments.
 11. Amessaging system according to claim 1, wherein for at least one of saidmessaging units, the controller turns the LED on and off at a rate of atleast 1,000 times per second for the purpose of broadcasting the digitalmessage.
 12. A messaging system according to claim 1, wherein for atleast one of said messaging units, the controller turns the LED on andoff at a rate of at least 100,000 times per second for the purpose ofbroadcasting the digital message.
 13. A messaging system according toclaim 1, wherein at least five of said messaging units are disposed on aceiling of the commercial space.
 14. A messaging system according toclaim 1, wherein adjacently located ones of said messaging units areconfigured so as to coordinate broadcasts of their respective digitalmessages.
 15. A messaging system according to claim 14, wherein saidcoordination of the broadcasts results in time-division multiplexing ofsaid respective digital messages.
 16. A messaging system according toclaim 1, wherein the LED emits visible light.
 17. A messaging systemaccording to claim 1, wherein a first one of the messaging unitsdisposed at a first location broadcasts a first message concerning asecond location, and a second one of the messaging units disposed at thesecond location broadcasts a second message concerning a third location.18. A messaging system according to claim 1, wherein the LED for each ofsaid messaging units simultaneously is used to illuminate saidcommercial space.
 19. A messaging system according to claim 1, whereinthe user interface permits the user to specify that different messagesare to be broadcast at least one of: (a) at different times of day or(b) on different days of the week.
 20. A messaging system according toclaim 1, wherein the user interface permits the user to specify, for aspecified messaging unit, a default schedule that is to be implementedby said specified messaging unit if and when no other schedule currentlyis applicable to said specified messaging unit.